Addiction, Dependence, and Abuse Tests

Summit Malibu offers the following drug addiction, drug dependence, and drug abuse tests and assessments to help people in determining the seriousness of drug and alcohol problems they may be facing.

These tests are not meant to replace a professional evaluation.

As with any potentially life-threatening medical condition, a professional medical assessment is highly recommended.

Summit Malibu is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a no-cost, no-commitment, confidential evaluation for problems with drug and alcohol addiction and abuse.

Click the links below to view the following addiction, dependence, and abuse tests:

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV)
• International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD 10)
• 20 Questions (Johns Hopkins)
• Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
• Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
• Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
• Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire(SADQ)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is defined "as a prolonged disturbance of personality characterized by depth and variability of moods."  The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; black and white thinking, or splitting; chaotic and unstable interpersonal relationships; unstable self-image, identity, and behavior; and a disturbance in the individual's sense of self.

In extreme cases, this disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation, or mental breakdown.

Borderline personality disorder can have a long-term negative impact on many aspects of a person's life.  This includes sometimes extreme difficulties in relationships at work, home, and in social situations. Self-harming is also a symptom, with attempted (or complete) suicide a possibility, especially without proper care and effective therapy.

The negative emotional states of BPD are grouped into four categories:

• Destructive or self-destructive feelings,
• Extreme feelings in general,
• Feelings of fragmentation or lack of identity, and
• Feelings of victimization.

Individuals suffering from BPD tend to view the world generally as dangerous and malevolent, and tend to view themselves as powerless, vulnerable, and unacceptable.

They can be very sensitive to the way others treat them, reacting strongly to perceived criticism or hurtfulness.  Their feelings about others often shift from positive to negative, generally after a disappointment or perceived threat of losing someone.

Self-image can also change rapidly from extremely positive to extremely negative.  Impulsive behaviors are common, including alcohol or drug abuse, unsafe sex, gambling and recklessness in general.

Individuals with BPD engage in high levels of intimacy- or novelty-seeking, and yet are very alert to signs of rejection or not being valued.  They tend toward insecure, avoidant or ambivalent, or fearfully preoccupied patterns in relationships.

It is very important to locate professionals who are experienced and qualified in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.

Many professional studies recommend against the use of medication for treating BPD.  Antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers such as lithium are often used to treat co-occurring symptoms such as depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been show to be very effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.

Several types of psychotherapy for BPD have developed in recent years. Studies suggest that people with BPD can benefit on at least some outcome measures.  Supportive therapy alone may enhance self-esteem and mobilize the existing strengths of individuals. Psychotherapy can often be conducted either with individuals or with groups. Group therapy can aid the learning and practice of interpersonal skills and self-awareness by individuals with BPD.

Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorder

Borderline personality disorder often occurs together with substance abuse and substance dependence disorders.  Often the substance use is the result of an attempt to "self-medicate" but just as often substance dependence is the primary disorder with BDP being secondary.  In either case, both disorders must be treated simultaneously to achieve an effective outcome.

Problem Drinking

The term "problem drinking" is commonly used to indicate that a person may be developing a drinking problem, but may or may not have reached the stage of alcohol dependence.  Problem drinking can be viewed as similar to alcohol abuse, which is defined as "the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences."

If someone is having problems that are related to their drinking, and they are continuing to drink, then they are by definition a "problem drinker."

Whether a problem drinker is simply using alcohol to help deal with their problems, has reached the stage of alcohol abuse, or has reached the stage of alcohol dependence (alcoholism) depends on the extent to which they have developed a pathological dependence.

Alcohol abuse is characterized by "continuing to drink despite negative consequences" such as failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home, drinking while driving or using machinery, legal problems from drinking, or social and relationship problems from drinking.

Alcohol dependence includes all the above symptoms, but also includes symptoms such as tolerance (needing to drink more to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal (distress such as craving a drink, anxiety, tremors, and even seizures and hallucinations when not drinking).

Once a problem drinker begins experiencing the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal they have probably reached the stage of alcohol dependence.

Periodic Drinking

Periodic drinking is defined as alcohol abuse that occurs in periodic intervals rather than on a regular basis.  For example, a periodic drinker may not drink during the work week, but may drink abusively over the weekend.

Contrary to popular opinion, periodic drinking does not exclude the drinker from developing problems of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence (alcoholism).

Binge drinking is just one form of periodic drinking.  Periodic drinking can take the form of controlled drinking for short periods, rather than intense drinking all at once, such as drinking slowly and steadily over a weekend.

Periodic drinking is often cited by problem drinkers and alcoholics as evidence that they still have control over their drinking.  They believe that if they can stop or regulate their drinking for any period of time, that this means they have control.  On deeper examination, however, this defense often breaks down.  One way to test if a periodic drinker has reached the stage of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is to have them attempt to stop drinking for an extended period.

If a periodic drinker has difficulty not drinking for a longer period than they are used to, this may indicate a problem of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association defines Alcohol Abuse as "the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences."  This definition can be applied just as easily to periodic drinkers.

If a period drinker is experiencing negative consequences due to drinking and is continuing to drink - even periodically - then by definition they have a drinking problem.

Binge Drinking

Binge Drinking is defined as very heavy drinking over a short period of time.  Drinkers who engage in binge drinking generally want to maximize the effect of alcohol as much as possible in as short a time as possible.

Binge drinking is very popular among young people, with over 7 million people aged 12 to 20 engaging in binge drinking.

42% of college students report binge drinking.

75% of the alcohol consumed by college students is consumed by binge drinkers.

A popular misconception of binge drinking is that it is somehow different from alcohol abuse or alcoholic drinking.  This idea rises from the misconception that alcoholics are all daily drinkers, and that anyone who "only drinks on weekends" or "only drinks at parties" is somehow exempt from alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) can develop whether or not the drinker is a daily drinker, a periodic drinker, or a binge drinker.

Binge drinking can be very dangerous.  The following health problems are associated with binge drinking:

• Liver disease.
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
• Neurological damage.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Unintentional pregnancy.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (if pregnant women binge drink).
• Unintentional injuries (such as car accidents, falls, etc.).
• Intentional injuries (such as injuries from firearms, domestic violence, etc.).
• Alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol poisoning can occur during binge drinking.

Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that can occur when the blood alcohol concentration rises too high.  Symptoms include severe vomiting, depressed respirations, and seizures.  It can result in coma and can be fatal.  Alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention and often hospitalization in order to stabilize the patient.

Alcoholism and Alcohol Dependence

Alcoholism is our nation's number one drug addiction problem.  There are approximately 12 million alcoholics in the United States, with alcoholism and alcohol abuse now the third leading cause of death.

Alcoholism affects spouses, children, friends and colleagues, making the actual number of people in the U.S. adversely affected by alcoholism number as many as 50 million.

Contrary to popular opinion, only 6% of the alcoholic population are of the "skid row" variety.  The vast majority of alcoholics are well-educated, highly-functioning people.  Studies now indicate that people with higher education and who earn a high level of income are actually more likely to drink.

Alcoholism now costs us over $60 billion per year in health care costs, accidents, and alcohol-related social programs.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association makes a distinction between Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism).  The main difference is that with Dependence the conditions of tolerance and withdrawal are present.

Tolerance: needing greater amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal: distress and craving when use of the substance is reduced or stopped.

For the Alcoholic, the conditions of tolerance and withdrawal are very common.  Consistent morning drinking, drinking at work, or drinking to relieve the symptoms of a hangover are all signs of withdrawal.  Drinking more than other people in the same social situation, daily drinking, and secretive drinking are all signs of tolerance.

Once a drinker has reached the stage of Alcohol Dependence, medical and psycho-social treatment is usually required.

Alcohol Abuse

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association defines Alcohol Abuse as "the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences."

While it is a less serious condition than Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism, Alcohol Addiction) it is a very serious condition in its own right.  For most people, if Alcohol Abuse continues, it will eventually lead to a condition of Alcohol Dependence.

Early intervention and treatment of Alcohol Abuse is extremely important to prevent the abusive drinker from reaching the stage of Alcohol Dependence.

Unlike Alcoholics, Alcohol Abusers still have some ability to set limits on their drinking.  However, Alcohol Abusers are still behaving self-destructively and may be dangerous to themselves or others.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:

• Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking.
  • For example, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping out on commitments because you’re hung over.
• Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous.
  • For example, drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication.
• Experiencing repeated legal problems on account of your drinking.
  • For example, getting arrested for driving under the influence or drunk and disorderly conduct.
• Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships.
  • For example, getting drunk with your buddies even though you know your wife will be upset, or fighting with your family because they dislike how you act when you drink.

Alcohol Abuse differs from Alcohol Dependence by its lack of symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal.

Tolerance: needing greater amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal: distress and craving when alcohol use is reduced or stopped.

If the person who is drinking is experiencing symptoms of tolerance or withdrawal then they may have reached the stage of Alcohol Dependence.

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are among the most serious health problem we are facing today.  More than 100,000 U.S. deaths are caused each year by excessive alcohol consumption each year.  Direct and indirect causes of death include drunk driving, cirrhosis of the liver, accidents, cancer, and stroke.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there are over 17,000 alcohol-related traffic fatalities every year.

50% of all U.S. homicides are alcohol related, and 40% of all assaults are alcohol related, particularly domestic assaults.  About three-quarters of all prisoners were involved in alcohol or drug abuse in some way in the time leading up to their current offense.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a family disease.  Approximately 53% of adults in the United States have reported that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem.

Three-quarters of children aged 8 to 17 cite their parents as the primary influence in their decisions about whether they drink alcohol or not.

Use the navigation bar to the left, or click the links below to learn more about alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including:

• Alcohol Abuse
• Alcoholism
• Binge Drinking
• Periodic Drinking
• Problem Drinking

If you have additional questions, or if you would like us to provide you with a no-cost, no-commitment, confidential consultation, please contact one of our alcohol treatment specialists.