Drug Abuse and Dependence
Exams and Tests
Drug abuse and dependence may be diagnosed during a routine doctor visit or when you see your doctor for a health or other problem linked to drug use, such as anxiety, depression, or family conflict. If your partner or a friend suspects a drug problem, he or she may urge you to see your doctor.
Testing to see if you have a drug problem
If you think you or a loved one might have a drug problem, use this short quiz to check for drug use:
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Assess Your Drug Use
(What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and past health and will do a Reference physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have a drug problem, he or she may ask about Reference current and past drug use. He or she also may ask if it's okay to give you a test to check for drug use, such as a urine or blood test.
Your doctor may ask to give you tests to look for health problems related to drug abuse. These may include tests for Reference hepatitis B, Reference hepatitis C, or Reference HIV.
If you and your doctor agree that you have a drug problem, your doctor probably will refer you to a specialist in drug abuse or dependence.
Testing for mental health problems
People who use drugs also may have mental health problems. These include depression, anxiety disorders, or Reference post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Opens New Window. If your doctor thinks this may be true for you, he or she may do a Reference mental health assessment.
If you use drugs and have a mental health problem, it's called a Reference dual diagnosis. If you treat only one problem, treatment may not work well. When you treat both problems, you have a better chance of a full Reference recovery Opens New Window and less chance of using drugs again.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference January 5, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
