It can be hard to know when your alcohol or drug use, whether involving illegal drugs or prescription medicines, has crossed the line from recreational use into a more serious problem. It is not necessarily about how much you drink or use, but about how it affects your life and the lives of those around you.
A number of online questionnaires can give you an initial assessment of your drinking or drug-taking. These tools can indicate whether you are showing the signs and symptoms of a substance use problem, and point you toward help and support.
What an online self-assessment involves#
A typical questionnaire takes only a few minutes to complete. It asks about your drinking or drug use, as well as your overall health and wellbeing.
Completing a questionnaire can help you work out whether your level of drinking or drug use is a problem for you, and whether it may be affecting your physical and mental health. The information you provide can also help identify the kind of help and support that might suit you best.
Many tools compare your result with the general population and with other people who have taken the test. They may also suggest options for your next steps. For example, you might choose to speak to someone by phone or in person, or simply to find out more about the effects of alcohol or drugs.
Getting further help#
There are also tools and resources designed specifically for young people, to help them work out where they stand with their drug and alcohol use.
If you are worried about your own drinking or drug use, or that of a partner, family member or friend, you can contact a local alcohol and drug help or counseling service for confidential advice and support.
Where to get help#
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.