Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse, Inc.

SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

This short test is to help you assess need for service.  Think about your health and safety and those around you.  Are you at risk?  Anybody you know at risk?

Please think about it and answer these questions truthfully:

YES        NO

1. Has your drinking or drug use ever caused problems at home, work or school?

2. Do you feel guilty when you drink too much, use drugs, or take more medications than recommended?

3. Do you wish people would mind their own business [stop telling you what to do] about your drinking or drug use?

4. Have you had problems connected with drinking or drugs during this year or the previous one?

5. Has a healthcare professional ever told you to cut down or quit use of drugs or alcohol?

6. Are drugs or alcohol a problem in your family?

7.When you drink, use medications or drugs, do you ever black out [memory loss] or pass out?

8. Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?

9. Have you ever had a drink or used a drug first thing in the morning [as an eye-opener] to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

10. Have you ever felt like your life would be better if you did not drink or use drugs?

So, how did you do?  If you answered YES to 2 or more of these questions, you may have a *drinking or drug problem.  Please be assured that you are not alone.  Thousands of people in Sarasota County experience alcohol and/or drug problems.  May of them have gotten better and you can too.  Help is available!     

*drinking or drug problem refers to any type of condition caused by drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs, or misusing/abusing prescription drugs which harms the person directly, jeopardizes the persons well-being, or puts others at risk.

Misuse: The consumption of alcohol by individuals under 21 years of age.  The use of medications prescribed for another individual and/or consumption of more medication [prescribed or over-the-counter] than indicated on the label.  The rapid consumption of alcohol or drugs [binge] in a short period of time, which could results in a fatal overdose.  The combination of any of the above.

Abuse: The consumption of more than the recommended daily limits of alcohol, prescribed dosage of medication, or reasonably safe limit of any substance.  The use of alcohol or drugs, often as a means to cope with stress, evade dealing with problems, feel better about yourself, etc.  It can result in absence from, and impaired performance at, school and/or job, neglect of child care or of household or work responsibilities, legal difficulties, including driving under the influence or intoxicated, and violent behavior.  Individuals who abuse may continue to use despite the knowledge that their use causes them recurrent and significant social, interpersonal or legal problems.

Addiction:  A chronic and often progressive disease that includes a strong need to use despite repeated social or interpersonal problems, such as losing a job or deteriorating relationships with friends and family members.  Addiction has a generally predictable course and recognizable symptoms.  Moreover, it is influenced by a complex interplay of genes, psychological factors such as peer and family pressure, and the influence of culture on acceptable and undesirable behaviors and attitudes.

If you want to cut down or stop drinking and/or drug use, these steps can help you:

• List your reasons for cutting down or stopping
• Keep a "diary" of your use to identify patterns or triggers
• Set goals
• Stay active
• Get support
• Watch out for temptations
• Learn how not to use
• Talk to your doctor

Substance abuse and addiction if preventable and treatable.  Recovery is a way of life for thousands of people in Sarasota County and for millions in the United States.
 

If you or someone you love needs assistance, please contact one of the agencies listed in our community resource guide on this Website, or contact SCoSA.  We are here to help.

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