Drug Use Disorders Identification Test

Developed as a parallel instrument to the widely used AUDIT, the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) is a validated self-report tool that helps…

Questions: 11
Duration: 3 min
Original title: Drug Use Disorders Identification Test
Adaptation: Drug Use Disorders Identification Test
Authors: Berman, A.H., Bergman, H., Palmstierna, T. & Schlyter, F.
Created: 2003

Developed as a parallel instrument to the widely used AUDIT, the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) is a validated self-report tool that helps clinicians efficiently screen for drug-related problems. It addresses the use of illicit substances as well as the misuse of prescription medications, providing a continuous measure of severity that captures both consumption patterns and the concrete negative consequences of drug use.

Because patients may underreport substance use in unstructured interviews, the DUDIT offers a standardized, non-judgmental framework to open conversations about drug habits. Its psychometric robustness and gender-calibrated thresholds make it a highly valuable measure for routine intake and ongoing monitoring across general psychiatric, primary care, and specialized addiction settings. Incorporating this measure helps clinicians map the clinical picture, build discrepancy around substance use, and collaboratively set medium-term goals for behavioral change.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

Overall score

18/ 44

The DUDIT is an 11-item self-report screening questionnaire designed to identify drug-related problems (excluding alcohol and tobacco) over the past year. It makes it possible to distinguish between no problem, at-risk use, and probable dependence.

généraleMixed · General population · Sweden · Berman et al. (2005)

044

M = 1.2 ± 2.5

cliniqueMixed · Pathology: drug use disorders · Sweden · n = 160 · Berman et al. (2005)

044

M = 33.2 ± 8

For information

Cut-off≥ 25Drug dependence

Score ≥ 25: high probability of dependence on one or more drugs. Se 90 % (DSM-IV and ICD-10); Sp 78 % for DSM-IV and 88 % for ICD-10 (Berman et al., 2005).

Berman et al. (2005)View the study ↗

Cut-off≥ 6Probable drug-related problems (Males)

Indicates probable drug-related problems (either harmful use or dependence) for males. The higher threshold for males accounts for generally higher prevalence rates and different patterns of substance use between males and females.

Berman et al. (2005)

Cut-off≥ 2Probable drug-related problems (Females)

Indicates probable drug-related problems (either harmful use or dependence) for females.

Berman et al. (2005)

Scoring

Sum, total score from 0 to 44, response option scoring varies by item (see each question).

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What the test measures

The DUDIT evaluates the severity of a patient's drug use over the past 12 months, excluding alcohol and tobacco. It yields a single total score reflecting three core clinical facets:

Consumption patterns: The frequency of drug use, prevalence of heavy use episodes, and instances of polydrug use.
Dependence symptoms: Subjective experiences of craving, impaired control over usage, and the necessity of morning use to counter withdrawal or hangover effects.
Substance-related harm: The psychosocial and physical fallout, including neglect of responsibilities, guilt, interpersonal concern, and direct harm to self or others.

The instrument is validated for adults and adolescents (16+) in both general and clinical populations who may be engaging in problematic drug use or prescription misuse.

When and why to use it

Clinicians typically use the DUDIT during initial assessments or when a patient's history suggests potential substance misuse. It provides a reliable baseline and structural guidance for clinical decision-making.

Intake screening: To systematically identify hazardous drug use or probable dependence that might otherwise be masked by primary mood complaints or entrenched experiential avoidance.
Differential support: To distinguish between recreational use and clinically significant impairment, guiding the need for specialized addiction protocols versus broad coping strategies.
Monitoring change: To track shifts in consumption and problem severity over time, especially when evaluating the impact of interventions or testing the viability of adaptive coping alternatives.
Psychoeducational framing: To help patients objectively review the tangible consequences of their habits, facilitating a collaborative cost/benefit analysis of continued use.

A validated score grounds the clinical impression in empirical data, offering clearer gender-specific baselines and minimizing the subjectivity inherent in conversational substance use assessments.

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The questions

The following questions concern your drug use over the past 12 months. 'Drugs' refers to illicit substances or medications (such as sleeping pills and painkillers) taken without a medical prescription. Alcohol and tobacco are not included. Please answer as honestly as possible.
1. How often do you use drugs other than alcohol?
This item establishes the baseline frequency of the patient's non-alcohol drug consumption.
- Never
- Once a month or less
- 2 to 4 times a month
- 2 to 3 times a week
- 4 or more times a week
2. Do you use more than one type of drug on the same occasion?
This item screens for polydrug use, which often indicates a higher risk of adverse interactions and toxicity.
- Never
- Once a month or less
- 2 to 4 times a month
- 2 to 3 times a week
- 4 or more times a week
3. How many times do you take drugs on a typical day of drug use?
This item measures the intensity of use on active consumption days, highlighting binge patterns.
- 0 times
- 1 or 2 times
- 3 or 4 times
- 5 or 6 times
- 7 or more times
4. How often are you strongly affected by drugs?
This item evaluates the frequency of high-intensity intoxication, pointing to the severity of acute drug effects.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
5. During the past year, have you felt that your craving for drugs was so strong that you could not resist it?
This item assesses the subjective experience of craving and the perceived inability to resist the urge to use.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
6. In the past year, have you been unable to stop using drugs once you started?
This item probes for loss of control, a hallmark symptom of substance dependence.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the past year have you neglected to do something you should have done because you were using drugs?
This item captures the functional impairment and role neglect directly resulting from substance use.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the past year have you needed to use a drug in the morning after a day of heavy use?
This item identifies 'eye-opener' behavior, indicating potential physiological withdrawal or entrenched daily reliance.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
9. How often during the past year have you had feelings of guilt or a bad conscience because of your drug use?
This item addresses the emotional fallout and internalized stigma or regret following consumption.
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
10. Have you or someone else been injured (mentally or physically) because of your drug use?
This item screens for tangible physical or psychological harm caused to the patient or others due to their drug habits.
- No
- Yes, but not in the past year
- Yes, during the past year
11. Has a family member, friend, doctor, nurse, or someone else been worried about your drug use or told you that you should stop using?
This item highlights the interpersonal impact of the patient's use by noting concern or intervention from their social or medical circle.
- No
- Yes, but not in the past year
- Yes, during the past year