Do I Need Additional Screening? Addiction Risk Screening

Find Out Where You Stand — Before It Gets Harder to Turn Back

Most people don't wake up one day and decide they have a problem. It usually creeps in slowly. A few extra drinks after work. A painkiller taken just to get through the day. A habit that started small but now feels impossible to stop.

At CT Addiction Medicine, we believe that early action saves lives. One of the best ways to take that first step is to use a medical screening quiz. It's simple, private, and gives you real answers without judgment.

What Is a Medical Screening Quiz?

The medical screening quiz assesses the possible presence of addiction and/or substance use disorder. However, neither of these things would actually be diagnosed simply by answering the questions on the quiz.

Rather, the questionnaire provides an opportunity for individuals to be candidly and objectively aware of their current behavioral patterns and how they could be negatively impacting their lives.

To create an analogy with blood pressure, when you have your blood pressure measured, you are not waiting for a heart attack before having that measurement taken. Likewise, the medical screening quiz serves to measure your relationship with substances before it becomes a crisis.

Why Early Screening Is So Important

Many people delay getting help because they're not sure if what they're experiencing "counts" as a problem. They think things like:

• "I can stop whenever I want."
• "It's not as bad as other people have it."
• "I'm still going to work, so I must be fine."
• "I'll deal with it later."

These thoughts are very common. But they often lead to waiting too long. And the longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes.

A medical screening quiz removes the guesswork. Instead of wondering if you have a problem, you answer specific questions that are designed to reveal patterns you might not even notice in yourself. It helps you move from "I think I might be okay" to "here's what the evidence actually shows."

Early screening also helps doctors at CT Addiction Medicine understand your situation better. When we know where you are on the risk scale, we can build a plan that fits your actual needs — whether that's education and monitoring, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, or more intensive support.

Who Should Take a Medical Screening Quiz?

The honest answer is: almost anyone who is curious about their habits should consider it. But there are specific situations where a medical screening quiz is especially helpful.

You should consider taking one if:

• You drink alcohol regularly and can’t relax or sleep without it.
• You use prescription medications more often than prescribed, or use them for reasons other than what they were prescribed for.
• You have used any illegal substance in the past 12 months.
• You've tried to cut back on a substance and found it harder than expected.
• You've continued using a substance even after it caused problems in your relationships or health.

You don't need to check every box. Even one or two of these experiences is a good reason to take a medical screening quiz and talk to a professional.

What Does a Medical Screening Quiz Look Like?

Here's a look at the most common types and what they measure.

AUDIT — Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

The AUDIT alcohol screening is utilized globally. It is a questionnaire with 10 multiple-choice questions about your alcohol consumption levels in relation to volume and frequency, as well as the outcomes experienced after consuming alcohol.

When completing the AUDIT questionnaire, you will answer questions about how often you drink six or more servings of alcohol at one time, if you have felt remorseful about drinking, and if you have had a desire to drink in the morning in order to function throughout the day.

The total score from your responses on this questionnaire will give you an indication of your level of risk of developing a dependence on alcohol.

DAST — Drug Abuse Screening Test

It covers a range of substances including prescription medications, marijuana, stimulants, opioids, and more. It asks questions about your use patterns over the past year and whether drugs have caused problems in your daily life.

CAGE Questionnaire

The CAGE is one of the simplest tools. It has just four questions. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)? Two or more "yes" answers strongly suggest a problem worth exploring further.

CRAFFT — For Younger Adults and Teens

If you're a younger adult or a parent concerned about a teenager, the CRAFFT screening tool is designed for people under 21. It asks whether you've ever ridden in a Car driven by someone who was drunk or high, whether you use substances to Relax, whether you use them when you're Alone, and other questions that reveal patterns common in younger users.

PHQ-9 — For Co-Occurring Depression

Many people with substance use disorders also deal with depression or anxiety. The PHQ-9 is a short depression screening quiz that helps identify whether you may be dealing with both issues at once. This matters because addiction and mental health are deeply connected, and treating one without the other often doesn't work.

Understanding Your Results

Once you've taken a medical screening quiz and received your results, typically there are several different "risk" categories that your results fall under.

1. Low Risk

The answers that you provided on the quiz indicate that your use is likely infrequent, has caused no current problems, and you stand to gain from talking to someone about education and monitoring your continued use.

2. Moderate Risk

The answers you provided on the medical screening quiz indicate that you have some concerning patterns associated with your use and do or may develop a dependency upon using substances or currently are struggling with control. You may want to discuss your results with a provider to gain a more complete assessment and to talk about possible interventions available to help you become more in control of your substance use.

3. High Risk

The answers you provided on the medical screening quiz indicate that you are experiencing significant problems associated with your substance use. At this level your best option is to seek professional help immediately. There is good news though; there is treatment available that works. The sooner you reach out for help, the better your chances of success are.

The medical screening quiz is used to facilitate an open discussion about each individual's pattern of use and identify options for improving one's pattern of use.

What Happens After the Quiz?

If your results suggest you may need more support, here is what working with CT Addiction Medicine looks like.

Step 1 – A Complete Clinical Evaluation

You have the opportunity to meet with one of our experienced providers for a one-on-one discussion regarding your history, health, and goals. This is a judgement-free zone and we want to have a complete understanding of you.

Step 2 – A Customized Treatment Plan

We do not use standard treatment recommendations, but instead develop your plan based on your history of substance use, mental health, lifestyle, and what you envision for your future.

Step 3 – Medication and Therapy Assistance

Depending on your personal situation, your plan may include medication-assisted treatment (buprenorphine and Vivitrol), individual therapy, group therapy, or telemedicine visits.

Step 4 – Ongoing Treatment and Support

Treatment is a long-term situation and we strive to be by your side during this time. We will regularly check on you to continue making adjustments to your plan and assist you in developing the skills necessary to remain healthy.

Why CT Addiction Medicine?

CT Addiction Medicine has been assisting individuals throughout the state of Connecticut in their recovery for many years. Our staff includes board-certified physicians and counselors well experienced with the issues you may be facing, as well as a support staff that understands what you are going through.

Our offices are located in Hartford and Norwich; however, we also provide telemedicine services for those unable to visit us in person.

We accept most insurance plans, including United Behavioral Health, United Health Care, Optum, ConnectiCare and Harvard Pilgrim.

Starting with a medical screening quiz is one of the easiest, most low-pressure steps you can take. It costs nothing. It takes just a few minutes. And it can genuinely change the direction of your life.