Substance Info

Drug Use Questionnaire

The DAST-10 is a 10-item, yes/no, self-report instrument that has been shortened from the 28-item DAST and should take less than 8 minutes to complete. The DAST-10 was designed to provide a brief instrument for clinical screening and treatment evaluation and can be used with adults and older youth. It is strongly recommended that the SMAST be used along with the DAST-10 unless there is a clear indication that the client uses NO ALCOHOL at all. The answer options for each item are “YES” or “NO”. The DAST-10 is a self-administered screening instrument.

NIDA Drugs of Abuse

Alcohol

Brief Description

Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. A standard drink equals 0.6 ounces of pure ethanol, or 12 ounces of beer; 8 ounces of malt liquor; 5 ounces of wine; or 1.5 ounces (a “shot”) of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey). NIDA does not conduct research on alcohol; for more information, please visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Effects

Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker’s body and can damage a developing fetus. Intoxication can impair brain function and motor skills; heavy use can increase risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a diagnosable disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, and/or continued use despite harm or personal injury. Alcohol abuse, which can lead to alcoholism, is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.

Statistics and Trends

In 2008, 51.6% of Americans age 12 and older had used alcohol at least once in the 30 days prior to being surveyed; 23.3% had binged (5+ drinks within 2 hours); and 23.3% drank heavily (5+ drinks on 5+ occasions). In the 12-17 age range, 146% had consumed at least one drink in the 30 days prior to being surveyed; 8.8% had binged; and 2.0% drank heavily. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 15.9% of 8th graders, 28.8% of 10th graders, and 43.1% of 12th graders had consumed at least one drink in the 30 days prior to being surveyed, and 5.4% of 8th graders, 14.4% of 10th graders, and 27.6% of 12th graders had been drunk. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Alcohol.html

Alcohol

Fact Sheet

The younger you are when you start drinking, the more likely you are to have a problem with alcohol.
College students spend more on alcohol than on textbooks.
One 12 ounce beer = 5 ounce glass of wine = 1 ½ shots of 80 proof liquor.
How alcohol affects you depends on:
- how much alcohol is consumed
- the time period in which it is consumed
- how much food is in the stomach
- body weight
Alcohol is a depressant.
Alcoholics don’t know they are becoming alcoholics– “it just happens”.
When someone has a problem, they follow certain patterns:
- lie to sober friends
- hide it from sober friends
- party more with drinking friends
- deny they have a problem
The best thing to do for a friend with a problem is to tell a counselor or someone who can help.
If you’re asking yourself if you have a problem, you probably do.
The body takes about ½ hour to feel the effects of alcohol. If you drink before that time, you may drink too much.
Alcohol poisoning occurs when you drink too much alcohol too fast, which can lead to coma or even death.
The worst thing to do when a person has had too much to drink is to leave them alone or lying down. They need to be kept awake and moving– and they need medical help.
Alcohol-related accidents are the #1 killer of teens.
1.4 million teens a year are injured in some way through an alcohol related accident.
A BAL (Blood Alcohol Level) of .1 means you have 12 times more likelihood of being in an accident.
A BAL of .2 means you have 60 times more likelihood of being in an accident.
You ALWAYS have a choice about whether or not to drink.
Binge drinking can lead to permanent brain damage; coma, then death, can happen in less than an hour.
Some of the social effects of alcohol are: unprotected sex, pregnancy, STD’s, date rape.
Up to 2/3 of date rape cases involve alcohol.
There is nothing that will sober you up except time.
It takes approximately 1 hour for each drink to be used by the body

CAGE Questionnaire, A Screening Test for Alcohol Dependence

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This simple 4-question self-test may help you become aware of your use or abuse of alcohol. This test specifically focuses on alcohol use, and not on the use of other drugs. A separate test called ‘DAST’ focuses on non-alcohol drugs. Please read our disclaimer on psychological testing and our psychological testing privacy guarantee.

Source: http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/alcohol-cage/index.html

NIAAA FAQS for the General Public

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The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) routinely receives a variety of questions about alcohol. We would like to share the following frequently asked questions and their answers.

It is important to understand that these answers are not meant to provide specific medical advice, but to provide information to better understand the health consequences of alcohol abuse and dependence (alcoholism). Please consult your physician or other health care provider if you or a loved one has an alcohol problem.

Source: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/default.htm

NIDA Drugs of Abuse

Inhalants

Brief Description

Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals’ mind-altering effects. The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents, aerosols, or gases.

Street Names

Whippets, poppers, snappers

Effects

Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness. Irreversible effects can be hearing loss, limb spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, or bone marrow damage. Sniffing high concentrations of inhalants may result in death from heart failure or suffocation (inhalants displace oxygen in the lungs).

Statistics and Trends

In 2008, 2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused inhalants. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 8.9% of 8th graders, 5.9% of 10th graders, and 3.8% of 12th graders had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site)

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Inhalants.html

NIDA Drugs of Abuse

Marijuana

Brief Description

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. It is made up of dried parts of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant.

Street Names

Pot, ganga, weed, grass, 420

Effects

Short-term effects of marijuana use include euphoria, distorted perceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.

Statistics and Trends

In 2008, 25.8 million Americans age 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 10.9% of 8th graders, 23.9% of 10th graders, and 32.4% of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/Marijuana.html

Counselling Resource – Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)

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This 22-question self-test may help you become aware of your use or abuse of alcohol. This test specifically focuses on alcohol use, and not on the use of other drugs.

Source: http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/alcohol-mast/

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Marijuana

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Other forms of cannabis include sinsemilla, hashish, and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs. More

Frequently Asked Questions

Publications

Related Resources

Common Street Terms for Marijuana include:

Blunt
Bud
J
Sinsemilla

Source: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/marijuana/index.html

NIDA Drugs of Abuse

Prescription Medications

Brief Description

Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription medication that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious health effects, including addiction. Commonly abused classes of prescription medications include opioids (for pain), central nervous system depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy). Opioids include hydrocodone (Vicodin®), oxycodone (OxyContin®), propoxyphene (Darvon®), hydromorphone (Dilaudid®), meperidine (Demerol®), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil®). Central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium®) and alprazolam (Xanax®). Stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®), methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®), and amphetamines (Adderall®).

Street Names

oxy, cotton, blue, 40, 80 (OxyContin®)
More at Street Terms (Office of National Drug Control Policy Web Site)

Effects

Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Opioids can produce drowsiness, constipation and, depending on amount taken, can depress breathing. Central nervous system depressants slow down brain function; if combined with other medications that cause drowsiness or with alcohol, heart rate and respiration can slow down dangerously. Taken repeatedly or in high doses, stimulants can cause anxiety, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat, or seizures.

Statistics and Trends

In 2008, 15.2 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.9% of 8th graders, 6.7% of 10th graders, and 9.7% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 2.1% of 8th graders, 3.6% of 10th graders, and 4.7% of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site)

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