Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20)

Abstract: The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20) is a 20-item (c28ds01- c28ds20) measure that assesses perceptions of a drug abuse problems, dependence symptoms, and consequences related to drug abuse during the previous 12 months. It is designed for clinical screening and treatment evaluation research. DAST-20 total scores have demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .84 to .94; Skinner & Goldberg, 1986).  

Who Completed this Measure?: Target Child/Youth (now in adulthood)

Cohort 1 - Administrative History

  • Year 28 | age 33-34

Cohort 2 - Administrative History

  • Year 28 | age 33-34

Cohort 3 - Administrative History

  • Year 28 | age 33-34

Technical Reports:

Raw Dataset Name: c28ds

Scored Dataset Name: das28

Is this Measure Available for Public Use?: Yes

Measure Items and Scales:

c28ds01 In the past 12 months, have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
c28ds02 In the past 12 months, have you abused prescription drugs?
c28ds03 In the past 12 months, do you abuse more than one drug at a time?
c28ds04 In the past 12 months, can you get through the week without using drugs?
c28ds04r Reversed: In the past 12 months, can you get through the week without using drugs?
c28ds05 In the past 12 months, are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
c28ds05r Reversed: In the past 12 months, are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
c28ds06 In the past 12 months, have you had blackouts or flashbacks as a result of drug use?
c28ds07 In the past 12 months, do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
c28ds08 In the past 12 months, does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
c28ds09 In the past 12 months, has drug abuse created problems between you and your spouse or your parents?
c28ds10 In the past 12 months, have you lost friends because of your use of drugs?
c28ds11 In the past 12 months, have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
c28ds12 In the past 12 months, have you been in trouble at work (or school) because of drug abuse?
c28ds13 In the past 12 months, have you lost your job because of drug abuse?
c28ds14 In the past 12 months, have you gotten into fights when under the influence of drugs?
c28ds15 In the past 12 months, have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
c28ds16 In the past 12 months, have you been arrested for possession of illegal drugs?
C28ds17 In the past 12 months, have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
c28ds18 In the past 12 months, have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)?
c28ds19 In the past 12 months, have you gone to anyone for help for a drug problem?
c28ds20 In the past 12 months, have you been involved in a treatment program specifically related to drug use?
 
Scales Items Description
das28drg c28ds01-02 DAS28 Any Illegal Drug Use or Prescription Drug Abuse
das28dep c28ds04r, 05r, 17 DAS28 Dependence Symptoms Sum Score
das28soc c28ds08-13 DAS28 Social Problems Sum Score
das28med c28ds06, 08 DAS28 Medical Problems Sum Score
das28pol c28ds01-03, 14, 16 DAS28 Polydrug Use Sum Score
das28trt c28ds19, 20 DAS28 Previous Treatment Sum Score
das28tot c28ds01-03, 04r-05r, 06-20 DAS28 Total Sum Score
das28totr c28ds01-03, 04r-05r, 06, 08-14, 16-20 DAS28 Total Sum Score with 7 and 15 removed