DUDIT Calculator

Score the 11-item Drug Use Disorders Identification Test for a confidential screening result and guidance on appropriate follow-up.

Drug use screening questionnaire

Answer for the past twelve months. Questions one through nine score zero to four; the final two score zero, two, or four.

Age (years)

Gender

How often do you use drugs other than alcohol?

Do you use more than one type of drug on the same occasion?

How many times do you take drugs on a typical day?

How often are you heavily influenced by drugs?

Over the past year, have you felt that your longing for drugs was so strong that you could not resist it?

Has it happened that you have not been able to stop taking drugs once you started?

How often over the past year have you taken drugs and then neglected to do something you should have done?

How often over the past year have you needed to take a drug the morning after heavy drug use the day before?

How often over the past year have you had guilt feelings or a bad conscience because you used drugs?

Have you or anyone else been hurt because you used drugs?

Has a relative, friend, doctor, nurse, or anyone else been worried about your drug use or said that you should stop using drugs?

About the DUDIT screening test

The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test, commonly called DUDIT, is an eleven-question screening instrument developed to identify patterns that may suggest drug-related problems. It asks about use of drugs other than alcohol during the previous twelve months, including frequency, loss of control, consequences, concern from other people, and experiences linked to heavy use. The questionnaire is designed for screening, not for making a diagnosis. Questions one through nine are scored from zero through four. The final two questions use the original response scale of zero, two, or four. Adding all responses gives a total from zero to forty-four. Commonly cited positive-screen thresholds are six or more for men and two or more for women, although thresholds, populations, wording, and clinical pathways may differ. A score of twenty-five or above has been used as an indicator of possible drug dependence requiring a comprehensive assessment. A positive result means further conversation is appropriate; it does not establish a substance use disorder. Diagnosis requires evaluation of symptoms, duration, impairment, medical risks, mental health, current substances, route of administration, prescribed medication, and personal circumstances. Conversely, a score below a threshold cannot guarantee that use is safe. Any overdose, withdrawal risk, injection-related concern, pregnancy, dangerous combination, or interference with daily life warrants professional attention regardless of total score. Answer as honestly as possible and consider privacy before entering responses on a shared device. The test refers broadly to non-alcohol drugs, which can include illicit substances and prescription medicines used outside medical directions. Alcohol is assessed with separate instruments such as AUDIT. Tobacco also has dedicated dependence screens. A clinician can select the correct tools and clarify which substances should be included. If you are worried about drug use, contact a doctor, addiction service, counselor, or trusted local support organization. Sudden cessation can be medically dangerous for some substances, so do not use an online score as a withdrawal plan. Call local emergency services for severe drowsiness, slowed or stopped breathing, chest pain, seizures, loss of consciousness, suspected overdose, or immediate danger. Compassionate, evidence-based treatment is available, and seeking assessment early can reduce harm even when a screening score is modest.

DUDIT score examples

Response pattern	Score	Interpretation
All responses never or no	0	Below standard positive-screen thresholds.
Two monthly responses and one past injury	6	A positive screen that merits further assessment.
Frequent use and multiple consequences	27	A high score requiring prompt professional evaluation.

How to complete the DUDIT

Enter your age and select the applicable screening threshold.
Answer every item based on the previous twelve months.
Choose Calculate DUDIT score to total the response values.
Discuss a positive result or any concern with a qualified professional.

DUDIT FAQ

Is the DUDIT a diagnosis?

No, it is a screening questionnaire that flags possible concerns. A trained professional must perform a fuller assessment before diagnosing a disorder.

What period should my answers cover?

Use your experiences during the past twelve months. If an urgent event happened outside that period, seek help even if it does not affect this score.

Why do thresholds differ by gender?

Validation research has often used different cutoffs for men and women. Services may adopt other thresholds based on population and clinical context.

Does DUDIT include alcohol?

The instrument is intended for drugs other than alcohol. Alcohol use is usually screened with AUDIT or another alcohol-specific questionnaire.

What should I do after a positive screen?

Arrange a confidential assessment with an appropriate clinician or addiction service. Do not stop a potentially dependence-forming substance abruptly without medical advice.