DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is a 10-item yes/no self-report screener for problematic drug use, excluding alcohol, over the past 12 months. Five severity levels: None to Severe. Pairs with AUDIT for comprehensive SBIRT workflows.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
DAST-10 Score Interpreter
Enter a total score to see its range.
10 yes/no items about drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) in the past 12 months. 1 point per Yes, except item 3 (1 point per No). Total 0–10.
Total score Interpretation 9+ Severe levelScores 9–10. Suggested action: intensive assessment. 6–8 Substantial levelScores 6–8. Suggested action: intensive assessment. 3–5 Moderate levelScores 3–5. Suggested action: further investigation. 1–2 Low levelScores 1–2. Suggested action: monitor, reassess at a later date. 0 No problems reportedScore 0. No action at this time. DAST-10 interpretation table (Skinner HA, 1982), as reproduced in the NIDA-derived DAST-10 clinician tool (Ohio Take Charge prescriber toolkit): 0 no problems reported; 1–2 low level; 3–5 moderate level; 6–8 substantial level; 9–10 severe level.
The DAST-10 is a 10-item yes/no screening tool for problematic drug use (excluding alcohol). Totals run 0–10; 3–5 is a moderate level of problems calling for further investigation [5].
What does the DAST-10 measure?
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is a brief self-report screening tool for identifying problems associated with drug misuse (excluding alcohol, which is covered by the AUDIT or CAGE).
The original 28-item DAST was developed by Harvey Skinner [2]; the DAST-10 is its 10-item short form. A review of the 10-, 20- and 28-item versions found moderate to high sensitivity and specificity [3].
A NIDA-derived DAST-10 clinician tool is widely distributed [5]. The DAST-10 is suitable for use in primary care, emergency departments, behavioural health, and substance use treatment settings, and pairs with the ASSIST or TAPS when a broader substance screen is needed.
How do you give the DAST-10?
The 10 yes/no items ask about drug use behaviours, excluding alcohol and tobacco, over the past 12 months. The DAST-10 takes under 8 minutes and can be self-completed or read aloud by a clinician. It is commonly co-administered with the AUDIT to cover both alcohol and drug use.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation. This tool does not screen for alcohol use.
How do you score and interpret the DAST-10?
Most items score 1 point for "Yes," with one item (item 3) reverse-scored (1 point for "No"). Total scores range from 0 to 10. The DAST-10 interpretation table, as reproduced in the NIDA-derived clinician tool [5], groups scores by degree of problems related to drug use:
| DAST-10 score | Degree of problems | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No problems reported | None at this time |
| 1–2 | Low level | Monitor, reassess at a later date |
| 3–5 | Moderate level | Further investigation |
| 6–8 | Substantial level | Intensive assessment |
| 9–10 | Severe level | Intensive assessment |
Optimal cutpoints vary by population (see Psychometric properties). The DAST-10 excludes alcohol; use the AUDIT or CAGE for alcohol screening.
Psychometric properties
- Original DAST. The 28-item DAST showed internal consistency of .92 in 256 drug/alcohol clients, with a unidimensional factor structure [2].
- Diagnostic validity. In 501 drug/alcohol clients, the DAST classified DSM-III drug abuse/dependence with 85% overall accuracy [1].
- Across versions. A review of the 10-, 20- and 28-item versions found moderate to high test-retest, inter-item and item-total reliability, and moderate to high validity, sensitivity and specificity [3].
- Other populations. In psychiatric outpatients with severe and persistent mental illness, a DAST-10 cutpoint of 2 was identified for both diagnosis and symptoms [4].
Limitations
- Screening, not diagnosis. A positive screen warrants full clinical evaluation using DSM-5-TR criteria.
- Under-reporting. Where respondents are motivated to under-report drug involvement (for example, in the justice system), accuracy may fall [1].
- Cutoffs vary by population. Optimal cutpoints differ across settings; a lower cutpoint was identified in adults with severe mental illness [4].
- No alcohol and no substance detail. It does not cover alcohol and does not identify which drugs are used.
For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.
Billing
In the US, the DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
- First published
- 1982
- Terms
- The copyright notice permits reproduction for non-commercial clinical, research and training use with credit to the author; licensing terms apply for other uses.
References
- 1.Gavin DR, Ross HE, Skinner HA. Diagnostic validity of the drug abuse screening test in the assessment of DSM-III drug disorders. Br J Addict. 1989;84(3):301-307.View source
- 2.Skinner HA. The drug abuse screening test. Addict Behav. 1982;7(4):363-371.View source
- 3.Yudko E, Lozhkina O, Fouts A. A comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2007;32(2):189-198.View source
- 4.Maisto SA, Carey MP, Carey KB, Gordon CM, Gleason JR. Use of the AUDIT and the DAST-10 to identify alcohol and drug use disorders among adults with a severe and persistent mental illness. Psychol Assess. 2000;12(2):186-192.View source
- 5.DAST-10 Questionnaire and Interpreting the DAST-10 (adapted from Skinner HA, 1982; NIDA). Ohio Take Charge prescriber toolkit.View source
DAST © 1982 Harvey A. Skinner and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto. The copyright notice permits reproduction for non-commercial clinical, research and training use with credit to the author; licensing terms apply for other uses.
- 1.
Related
Assessments
Common paths
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT reduced alcohol and drug use more than minimal or non-specific treatment in a meta-analysis of 30 RCTs, and matched other specific therapies.
Magill M, et al. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2019;87(12):1093–105. - Motivational Interviewing
MI reduced substance use versus no intervention at short-term follow-up but differed little from usual care in a Cochrane review of 93 studies.
Schwenker R, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;12(12):CD008063.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
FAQ
What does the DAST-10 measure?
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is a 10-item yes/no screener measuring the degree of problematic drug use (excluding alcohol) in the past 12 months. Scores range 0–10; ≥3 indicates moderate to severe problems.
How do you score the DAST-10?
Each of the 10 yes/no items scores 1 point for Yes, with the exception of item 3 which is reverse-scored (1 point for No). Item scores are summed for a total of 0 to 10. Severity bands are 0 (no problems), 1 to 2 (low level), 3 to 5 (moderate), 6 to 8 (substantial), and 9 to 10 (severe drug problems).
What is a positive DAST-10 score?
A DAST-10 score of 3 or higher indicates moderate drug-related problems and warrants further clinical assessment. Scores of 6 or higher indicate a substantial or severe level of problems, for which intensive assessment is suggested. The DAST-10 is a screening tool only; full clinical evaluation by a qualified clinician is required to diagnose a substance use disorder.
Is the DAST-10 free to use?
The DAST is copyright 1982 Harvey A. Skinner and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto. The copyright notice permits reproduction for non-commercial clinical, research and training use with credit to the author; licensing terms apply for other uses.
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