Addiction & Substance Self-Assessment

This is not a lecture. Nobody who's questioning their relationship with a substance needs to be told drugs are bad. You already know something is off or you wouldn't be here. What you need are honest questions, validated screening tools, clear information about what withdrawal looks like, harm reduction if you're going to keep using, and a path to help that doesn't require a trust fund. That's what this is.

``agent-adaptation # Localization note — addiction screening tools are clinically validated internationally. # Treatment systems and helplines are jurisdiction-specific. - CAGE and AUDIT screening tools are validated across cultures and languages. Apply them regardless of jurisdiction. - Substitute US-specific helplines and treatment resources with local equivalents: US: SAMHSA 1-800-662-4357, samhsa.gov UK: NHS drug and alcohol helpline, FRANK 0300-123-6600, talktofrank.com Australia: Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS), state-based numbers Canada: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction EU: Varies by country — search "[country] substance abuse helpline" - 12-step availability (AA/NA) is global but density varies. SMART Recovery is available online worldwide. - Treatment cost structures differ dramatically by country. In single-payer systems, publicly funded treatment may be available at no cost. Adjust financial guidance accordingly. - Legal status of substances varies by jurisdiction. Never provide guidance that assumes US drug scheduling. CODEBLOCK0 HONEST SELF-CHECK (ask yourself these first): -> Is your use the same as it was 6 months ago, or has it increased? -> Is it the first thing you think about after work? -> Do you use alone more than you used to? -> Have people close to you mentioned it? More than once? -> Have you set rules for yourself about use — and broken them? -> Do you feel defensive reading these questions? -> Have you tried to stop or cut back and couldn't? -> Do you need more than you used to for the same effect? -> Have you missed work, obligations, or plans because of use? -> Do you keep using despite it causing problems you can see? If you answered yes to 3 or more: keep reading. This isn't a diagnosis. It's information. CODEBLOCK1 THE CAGE QUESTIONNAIRE (validated clinical screening): Answer yes or no: 1. Have you ever felt you should CUT DOWN on your drinking/use? 2. Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking/use? 3. Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking/use? 4. Have you ever had a drink/used first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover? (EYE-OPENER) SCORING: - 0-1 yes answers: Low concern. Monitor yourself honestly. - 2-3 yes answers: Clinically significant. This warrants a deeper look. Consider the AUDIT below and talk to a doctor. - 4 yes answers: Strong indicator of dependence. This is not a death sentence. But you need help, and it exists. Note: CAGE was designed for alcohol but applies to other substances. It's a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A score of 2+ means "talk to a professional" — not "you're an addict." CODEBLOCK2 WHO AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test): Rate each question 0-4: 1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? 0=Never 1=Monthly or less 2=2-4x/month 3=2-3x/week 4=4+x/week 2. How many drinks on a typical drinking day? 0=1-2 1=3-4 2=5-6 3=7-9 4=10+ 3. How often do you have 6+ drinks on one occasion? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 4. How often in the last year could you not stop drinking once started? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 5. How often in the last year did you fail to do what was expected because of drinking? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 6. How often in the last year did you need a drink in the morning to get going? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 7. How often in the last year did you feel guilt or remorse after drinking? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 8. How often in the last year were you unable to remember the night before? 0=Never 1=Less than monthly 2=Monthly 3=Weekly 4=Daily/almost daily 9. Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking? 0=No 2=Yes, but not in the last year 4=Yes, in the last year 10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down? 0=No 2=Yes, but not in the last year 4=Yes, in the last year SCORING: - 0-7: Low risk. - 8-15: Hazardous use. Time for changes. Harm reduction applies here. - 16-19: Harmful use. Professional help is strongly recommended. - 20-40: Possible dependence. Medical supervision for any changes. Do NOT stop drinking suddenly — see withdrawal section below. CODEBLOCK3 BEHAVIORAL ADDICTION SCREENING: For gambling, gaming, compulsive phone/social media use, shopping, pornography, or other compulsive behaviors — ask: 1. Do you spend more time on it than you intend to? Regularly? 2. Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to stop? 3. Have you tried to cut back and failed? 4. Do you use it to escape problems or relieve bad moods? 5. Have you lied to others about how much time/money you spend on it? 6. Has it caused problems in your relationships, work, or finances? 7. Do you keep doing it despite those problems? 4+ yes answers: This pattern is consistent with compulsive behavior that warrants professional evaluation. For gambling specifically: the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline is 1-800-522-4700 (24/7, free, confidential). CODEBLOCK4 HARM REDUCTION BASICS: If you are going to use, these practices reduce your risk of death and serious harm: ALCOHOL: -> Eat before drinking. Pace: one drink per hour maximum. -> Alternate with water (one for one). -> Set a number before you start. Stop at that number. -> Never mix with benzodiazepines or opioids. This combination kills. -> If you're questioning your use, track it: every drink, every day, for two weeks. The data will tell you what your brain won't. ALL SUBSTANCES: -> Never use alone. If you're going to use, have someone present who knows what you took and can call 911. -> Test your substances. Fentanyl test strips are cheap and save lives. Fentanyl is now in everything — pills, cocaine, counterfeit meds. -> Start with a small amount, especially with a new batch or supplier. -> Know what you're mixing. Combinations are what kill most people. -> Keep naloxone (Narcan) accessible. It reverses opioid overdose. Available without prescription at most pharmacies. THESE ARE NOT ENDORSEMENTS. This is reducing the chance of dying. CODEBLOCK5 WITHDRAWAL REALITY: ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL: Severity: MEDICALLY DANGEROUS. Can be fatal. -> Symptoms begin 6-24 hours after last drink -> Mild: tremors, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, sweating -> Moderate: hallucinations (24-48 hrs), elevated heart rate/BP -> Severe: seizures (12-48 hrs), delirium tremens (48-96 hrs) -> Delirium tremens has a 5-15% mortality rate without treatment *** NEVER cold-turkey heavy daily drinking without medical supervision *** *** If you drink daily, talk to a doctor before stopping *** Medical detox uses benzodiazepines to prevent seizures. This is safe and effective when supervised. Inpatient detox is typically 3-7 days. BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWAL: Severity: MEDICALLY DANGEROUS. Similar to alcohol. -> Can cause seizures and death -> Requires a medical taper — slow dose reduction over weeks/months -> Never stop benzos abruptly after regular use -> A doctor MUST supervise this process OPIOID WITHDRAWAL: Severity: Extremely unpleasant but rarely fatal in healthy adults. -> Onset: 8-24 hours after last use (heroin/short-acting), 24-72 hours (long-acting/methadone) -> Symptoms: muscle pain, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, restless legs — peaks at 48-72 hours -> Duration: acute phase 5-10 days -> What helps: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone. These are not "replacing one drug with another" — they are evidence-based treatment. Period. STIMULANT WITHDRAWAL (cocaine, amphetamines): Severity: Not medically dangerous but psychologically brutal. -> Crash phase: extreme fatigue, depression, increased appetite -> Duration: 1-2 weeks acute, mood issues can persist months -> Risk: severe depression and suicidal ideation during crash -> No medication protocol — support, sleep, nutrition, monitoring CODEBLOCK6 FREE AND LOW-COST TREATMENT: SAMHSA HELPLINE: 1-800-662-4357 -> Free, confidential, 24/7, 365 days -> English and Spanish -> Referrals to local treatment, support groups, community organizations -> They will help you find what you can afford SAMHSA TREATMENT LOCATOR: findtreatment.gov -> Search by location, insurance, substance, treatment type FREE MUTUAL SUPPORT: -> AA (Alcoholics Anonymous): aa.org — free, meetings everywhere, anonymous. 12-step model. Works for many people. -> NA (Narcotics Anonymous): na.org — same model for all substances. -> SMART Recovery: smartrecovery.org — evidence-based alternative to 12-step. Uses CBT techniques. Online and in-person meetings. No religious/spiritual component. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS: -> Most communities have CMHCs with sliding-scale fees -> Search: "[your county] community mental health center" -> Many offer substance abuse treatment alongside mental health STATE-FUNDED PROGRAMS: -> Every state has publicly funded treatment for people without insurance or ability to pay -> Call SAMHSA helpline to find your state's programs MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT): -> For opioid use: buprenorphine (Suboxone) can be prescribed by any qualified doctor — you don't need a special clinic anymore -> For alcohol: naltrexone (reduces cravings, available as daily pill or monthly injection) and acamprosate -> These medications are covered by most insurance and Medicaid WHEN TO GO TO THE ER: -> Seizures or history of seizures during withdrawal -> Hallucinations -> Chest pain or heart racing during withdrawal -> Suicidal thoughts -> Vomiting so severe you can't keep fluids down -> Confusion or disorientation -> You are withdrawing from alcohol or benzos after heavy daily use CODEBLOCK7yaml state: screening: cage_score: null audit_score: null behavioral_screen_score: null primary_substance: null secondary_substances: [] use_frequency: null use_duration: null use_trend: null # stable, increasing, decreasing withdrawal_risk: null # none, low, moderate, high, medical_emergency situation: using_alone: null others_concerned: null prior_treatment: null prior_treatment_type: [] insurance_status: null immediate_danger: false actions_taken: screening_completed: false harm_reduction_reviewed: false withdrawal_info_reviewed: false resources_provided: false samhsa_contacted: false treatment_located: false mat_discussed: false follow_up: next_check_in: null tracking_started: false tracking_start_date: null CODEBLOCK8yaml triggers: - name: medical_danger_flag condition: "screening.withdrawal_risk == 'medical_emergency' OR screening.primary_substance IN ['alcohol', 'benzodiazepines'] AND screening.use_frequency == 'daily'" action: "Based on what you've described, stopping suddenly could be medically dangerous. Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures. Please talk to a doctor before making changes to your use. If you're already in withdrawal and experiencing tremors, confusion, or hallucinations, go to an ER now." - name: high_cage_score condition: "screening.cage_score >= 2 AND actions_taken.resources_provided IS false" action: "Your CAGE score suggests this warrants a closer look. This isn't a label — it's a signal. Would you like to go through the more detailed AUDIT screening, or would you prefer to look at treatment and support options?" - name: tracking_reminder condition: "actions_taken.tracking_started IS true AND days_since(tracking_start_date) == 14" action: "It's been two weeks since you started tracking your use. Ready to look at the data together? No judgment — just information." - name: harm_reduction_check condition: "screening.primary_substance IS NOT null AND actions_taken.harm_reduction_reviewed IS false" action: "Before we go further — regardless of what you decide about treatment, there are harm reduction practices that reduce your risk right now. Want to go through them?" - name: resource_follow_up condition: "actions_taken.resources_provided IS true AND actions_taken.treatment_located IS false" schedule: "7 days after resources_provided" action: "Checking in. Were you able to connect with any of the resources we discussed? If something didn't work out, there are other options." ``