How to Calculate DAST-10 Drug Screening
What is DAST-10 Drug Screening?
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) Calculator scores 10 yes/no questions to identify the degree of drug-related problems in the past 12 months, covering illicit drugs and prescription medication misuse (excluding alcohol and tobacco).
Formula
DAST-10 Score = Count of positive responses (item 3 is reverse-scored); Range: 0-10
- TS
- Total DAST-10 Score (points (0-10)) — Sum of endorsed items indicating drug problem severity
- Ri
- Response (0 or 1) — Binary score per item (1 = positive for drug problem indicator)
- RL
- Risk Level (category) — Severity classification from no problem to severe
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Answer 10 yes/no questions about non-alcohol drug use in the past 12 months
- 2Item 3 ("Can you stop using drugs when you want to?") is reverse-scored: No = 1 point
- 3All other items: Yes = 1 point
- 4Total score classifies risk: 0 (no problems), 1-2 (low), 3-5 (moderate), 6-8 (substantial), 9-10 (severe)
Worked Examples
Input
Endorsed 4 items: drug use to cope, blackouts, family concern, felt guilty
Result
DAST-10 score: 4/10 — moderate level of drug-related problems. Recommended: intensive assessment and outpatient treatment.
Input
Endorsed 1 item: used drugs other than for medical purposes
Result
DAST-10 score: 1/10 — low level. Recommended: monitor and brief education.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Forgetting to reverse-score item 3 ("Can you stop using drugs?") — a "No" answer scores 1, "Yes" scores 0
- ✕Including alcohol in the drug questions — DAST-10 specifically excludes alcohol (use the AUDIT for that)
- ✕Using DAST-10 alone for diagnosis rather than as a screening gateway to comprehensive substance use assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the DAST-10 screen for?
The DAST-10 screens for problems related to drug misuse in the past 12 months, including illicit drugs and prescription medications used non-medically. It specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco.
What is a concerning DAST-10 score?
Scores of 3-5 (moderate) warrant intensive assessment, 6-8 (substantial) indicate a likely substance use disorder requiring treatment, and 9-10 (severe) suggest urgent need for comprehensive intervention.
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