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Home Blog DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test): How It Works
Screening

DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test): How It Works

January 12, 2026 7 min read Valley Spring Editorial Team
Key Highlights
  • The DAST is a validated screening tool specifically designed to detect drug use problems
  • Available in full (28-item), intermediate (20-item), and brief (10-item) versions
  • Focuses exclusively on drug use (not alcohol) over the past 12 months
  • Uses simple yes/no questions that take 5-10 minutes to complete
  • Scores categorize risk into no problem, low, moderate, substantial, or severe levels
  • Originally developed by Dr. Harvey Skinner in 1982
  • Widely used in clinical settings, employee assistance programs, and criminal justice
  • The DAST-10 is the most commonly used version due to its brevity

Published: February 2026 | Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 5 min

What Is the DAST?

The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a standardized, self-report screening instrument designed to identify individuals who are misusing psychoactive drugs other than alcohol. Developed by Dr. Harvey Skinner in 1982 at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, the DAST was modeled after the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) but adapted specifically for drug use.

The DAST is available in three versions: the original DAST-28, the DAST-20, and the abbreviated DAST-10. The DAST-10 has become the most widely used version due to its brevity and comparable accuracy.

The DAST-10 Questions

The DAST-10 asks about drug use behavior over the past 12 months. The term "drug use" refers to the use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs in excess of directions, and any non-medical use of drugs. The 10 questions cover:

  1. Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
  2. Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?
  3. Are you unable to stop using drugs when you want to?
  4. Have you ever had blackouts or flashbacks as a result of drug use?
  5. Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
  6. Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
  7. Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
  8. Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
  9. Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stopped taking drugs?
  10. Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use?

Scoring

Each "yes" response scores 1 point. The DAST-10 score is interpreted as: 0 = no problems reported, 1-2 = low level (monitor, reassess), 3-5 = moderate level (further investigation recommended), 6-8 = substantial level (intensive assessment required), 9-10 = severe level (intensive assessment and likely treatment needed).

Clinical Applications

Screening in Healthcare Settings

The DAST is used in primary care offices, emergency departments, mental health clinics, and substance abuse treatment centers to quickly identify patients with potential drug use problems. It is particularly valuable as a complement to alcohol screening tools like the AUDIT or CAGE, providing a complete picture of substance use.

Employee Assistance and Criminal Justice

The DAST is widely used in employee assistance programs for initial substance use assessment and in criminal justice settings for determining treatment needs among offenders. Its straightforward yes/no format makes it accessible to individuals with varying literacy levels.

Research

The DAST has been used extensively in clinical research to measure drug use severity, track treatment outcomes, and identify at-risk populations. Its standardized format allows for consistent measurement across studies.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

The DAST is brief and easy to administer, requires no specialized training, has been validated across diverse populations, provides a quantifiable severity score, and is freely available for clinical use.

Limitations

The DAST does not identify which specific drugs are being used. It does not assess alcohol use (a separate tool is needed). Self-report may be subject to underreporting, particularly in mandated screening settings. And the yes/no format does not capture frequency or quantity of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the DAST include marijuana?

Yes. The DAST covers all drugs other than alcohol, including marijuana, prescription drugs used non-medically, and all illicit substances.

How does the DAST compare to the ASSIST?

While both screen for drug use, the ASSIST covers all substances (including alcohol and tobacco) and provides substance-specific risk scores, while the DAST provides a single overall drug use severity score. The ASSIST is more comprehensive; the DAST is quicker for drug-specific screening.

Can I take the DAST on my own?

Yes. The DAST is designed as a self-report instrument and can be completed independently. If your score suggests moderate or higher risk, consult with a healthcare provider for comprehensive evaluation.

References

  1. Skinner, H.A. (1982). The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addictive Behaviors.
  2. Yudko, E., et al. (2007). A comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of the DAST. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
  3. Bohn, M.J., et al. (1995). The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) and its reliability and validity. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
  4. McCabe, S.E., et al. (2006). Validity of the DAST-10 in identifying DSM-IV drug use disorders. Addictive Behaviors.
  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023). Screening and Assessment Tools.

This article was reviewed by the Valley Spring Recovery Center Editorial Team. For a confidential drug use assessment, call (201) 781-8812 or visit our admissions page.

Valley Spring Recovery Center — Evidence-based addiction treatment in Norwood, New Jersey.

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