Who is this test for?
The test has been designed to help you answer questions about your current drug use.
What age do I have to be to take the test?
The target age group for the test is adults over 18 years and older.
Will I be asked any personal information?
Any answers you give are completely anonymous and confidential. We will not ask you for your name, email address, postal address, telephone number or any other personal identifying information.
What is the “share” option for Facebook and Twitter? Will my friends and family be able to see my results?
If you decide to “share” that you took the test with your friends and family on Facebook or Twitter, they will not be able to see your results, it will just send them a link to try the test for themselves.
Will my answers be used for any reports or research?
Data from the site will be collected for research purposes but will be completely anonymous as we do not ask for any names, email addresses or any other personal identifying information. Your answers and results cannot be linked back to you in any way.
Should I still speak to my GP or a health professional or is the test the same as talking to them?
The feedback and information you receive is intended to be educational. While the test can give you an overview of your current level of drug use and advise you on any actions you should consider to cut down or stop using drugs completely, it is not intended to be a replacement for a professional drug assessment/clinical diagnosis from your GP or healthcare professional. Support is an important part of cutting down or stopping drug use completely. If you intend to stop drug use completely it is important to discuss this with your GP or healthcare professional first. If you have any health conditions or concerns it is important to discuss your decision with your GP first.
Why should I take the test?
This test lets you know if drug use is likely to be harming your health or increasing your risk of future harm. It provides a range of information to encourage you to think about your drug use.
What is the aim of this online drug intervention?
The aim of the online drug test is to identify “at risk” individuals among the general adult population through the use of the DUDIT screening tool. Those whose drug use is likely to be harming their health or increasing their risk of future harm are the main target group intended to benefit from this test. Anyone completing the screening test will be offered personalised feedback and brief advice based on their screening result. The programme is not intended to be a substitute for a professional clinical diagnosis. Your GP or local drug and alcohol service will be happy to discuss your result with you in more detail.
What is the DUDIT screening tool?
The DUDIT was developed as a parallel instrument to the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) for identification of individuals with drug-related problems. Berman, A. H., Bergman, H., Palmstierna, T., & Schlyter, F. (2005). Evaluation of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) in Criminal Justice and Detoxification Settings and in a Swedish Population Sample. European Addiction Research, 11, 22-31.
Why an online test?
Online assessment tests mean that access is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and engagement is confidential and anonymous. The test can also be accessed by large numbers of people at a time that suits them.
Feedback
The video-based feedback in this resource has been compiled by Dr. Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, and Philip James, Clinical Nurse Specialist with HSE Addiction Services. Philip James delivers the feedback to camera.