Teens and young people are at an ever-increasing risk of being exposed to drugs and alcohol, with many trying substances from a very young age. Teens and young people are far more likely to develop an addiction if substance abuse starts at an early age, but are more likely to be able to stop if they get help early. If you’re a teen worried about your substance use or are a parent concerned about a child, then our addiction quiz for teens can help.

An addiction occurs when the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse become moderate to severe. For teens and young people, these negative effects may appear differently than they do in adults.

How do you test for addiction in teens?

This teen addiction self-assessment is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), which is used to measure the criteria for addiction or a substance use disorder. The quiz will indicate whether drug or alcohol abuse is mild, moderate, or severe.

If you feel your drug or alcohol use has gotten out of control, this teen addiction test will indicate the severity of the problem. Answer the below questionnaire honestly based on the past 12 months of substance use.

Question /

Your addiction level is

No current
issue

Your current substance abuse is not considered dangerous. However, if you are abusing substances, be they illicit or prescription medications and/or alcohol, then stop immediately.

Your addiction level is

Mild

Your score indicates that you are abusing the substance in a dangerous way. Continued drug abuse causes a tolerance to build for the chemical reaction happening in your brain when using. If substance abuse remains unchanged, a dependence will form, meaning you will require more of the substance to feel its effects or to feel “normal”. Speak to a parent or caregiver for help on cutting back, or contact your doctor. Any information you give to a health professional will remain confidential.

Your addiction level is

Moderate

There is a high possibility that you have developed a tolerance to the substance and may have a dependence on it. If left untreated, the negative consequences of dependence can lead to addiction. Support groups, counseling, and outpatient treatment programs can all help taper substance use and provide support to recover from dependence. Organizations such as SAMHSA will be able to give advice on reducing drug and alcohol use as well as providing resources for addiction treatment in your area.

Your addiction level is

Severe

This score indicates that you have a substance use disorder or drug addiction. Addiction is a disease and can be extremely difficult to beat alone. Luckily, there are many treatment options available to overcome all forms of addiction. If you feel you can’t get help from home, then a treatment provider will be able to help you find the best course of addiction treatment. Speak to a treatment specialist today to make the first step in recovering from addiction.

What treatment options are available for teens with an addiction

Teens are especially vulnerable to drug and alcohol experimentation, and experimenting early can increase the risk of adverse effects, including addiction. Some teens are more at risk for addiction because of genetic, social, and environmental causes. Teen drug use can often be prevented by active parenting and supervision, but some teens will experiment with drugs or alcohol even when they have attentive parents.

Seeking treatment early greatly increases the chance of recovery from addiction, especially for young people. Our rehab directory can help you find addiction treatment facilities near you that will be able to help with your specific addiction treatment needs.