If you're asking "am I a drug addict?", that question alone is meaningful — people who don't have a problem rarely worry that they do. The honest answer isn't a yes-or-no label. Clinicians no longer say "addict"; they look at whether you meet the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD), and how many — because drug problems exist on a spectrum from mild to severe.
Below is a free, private, 2-minute self-check based on the same 11 criteria clinicians use (from the DSM-5), plus the warning signs and what they mean for different drugs. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere. This is a starting point for reflection — not a diagnosis.
If you use opioids (heroin, fentanyl, painkillers) or benzodiazepines, do not stop suddenly on your own — withdrawal can be dangerous and, for some drugs, life-threatening. Talk to a doctor first. For free, confidential guidance any time, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). In a crisis, call or text 988.
The 2-minute self-check
Think about any drug you use to get high or change how you feel — including cannabis, prescription pills, opioids, stimulants, or others. In the past 12 months, how many of these have been true? Check each that applies, then see your result. Be honest — no one else sees this.
You checked of 11 criteria.
Your answers don't point to a substance use disorder right now.
That's reassuring. If you're still here because something feels off, trust that instinct — cutting back never hurts, and you can always re-check after an honest few weeks.
Your answers line up with a mild substance use disorder.
This is the easiest stage to turn around, and most people don't realize they're here. Small changes now — and a conversation with a doctor or counselor — can keep it from growing.
Your answers line up with a moderate substance use disorder.
That can be a lot to take in — and it also means there is effective, well-established treatment for exactly this. People with these same answers recover all the time. A professional can help you choose the right next step.
Your answers line up with a severe substance use disorder.
This is hard to read, and naming it took courage. It's also one of the most treatable points to start from, because the path is clear. Many people with these exact answers go on to full recovery.
This is a self-check, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can diagnose a substance use disorder. If you use opioids or benzodiazepines, don't quit cold turkey — withdrawal can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357. When you're ready, you can find a verified treatment center or read about getting help.
The check above mirrors how clinicians assess drug use. Under the DSM-5 (the standard diagnostic manual), meeting 2 or more of these 11 criteria in a year indicates a substance use disorder, which is the medical term that has replaced older words like "addiction," "abuse," and "dependence," per the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
What your score means
0–1 criteria: no disorder indicated
Your use doesn't meet the threshold for a substance use disorder right now. That doesn't make any drug use risk-free — it means this isn't a disorder. If you have any concern, cutting back is always reasonable.
2–3 criteria: mild SUD
A mild disorder is real but very workable. This is the stage where brief counseling, cutting back, or a check-in with your doctor tends to work best — before tolerance and routine deepen.
4–5 criteria: moderate SUD
A moderate disorder usually benefits from structured help — outpatient counseling, medication where appropriate, or an intensive outpatient program. You don't have to hit "rock bottom" to get treatment; earlier is easier.
6+ criteria: severe SUD
A severe disorder (what people used to call "addiction") often involves physical dependence. For opioids and benzodiazepines especially, the safest first step is usually medically supervised detox, followed by inpatient or intensive outpatient care.
Signs of drug addiction
Behavioral signs
Using alone or in secret, lying about or hiding use, needing the drug to feel normal, neglecting responsibilities, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, new money or legal problems, and repeated failed attempts to cut back. Our guide to the warning signs of drug addiction goes deeper.
Physical signs
Common physical signs include tolerance (needing more), withdrawal when not using, changes in sleep and appetite, weight changes, bloodshot eyes or dilated/constricted pupils, and a decline in grooming or appearance. Withdrawal symptoms in particular point to physical dependence.
What about specific drugs?
The 11 criteria apply to any substance, but the risks and warning signs differ by drug.
Am I addicted to weed (cannabis)?
Yes, cannabis can be addictive — about 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have some degree of cannabis use disorder, according to the CDC. If you smoke every day, need more to feel the effect, feel irritable or can't sleep when you stop, or have tried to quit without success, those are the same criteria above. Daily use and using to cope are the clearest warning signs.
Am I addicted to opioids or painkillers?
Opioids — prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl — are among the most physically addictive drugs, and withdrawal is intense. Needing them to avoid feeling sick, taking more than prescribed, or running out early are red flags. Medication-assisted treatment is the gold-standard care, and naloxone (Narcan) should be kept on hand.
Am I addicted to stimulants or prescription drugs?
Cocaine, methamphetamine, and misused prescription stimulants or benzodiazepines all carry high addiction potential. Benzodiazepine withdrawal, like alcohol, can be dangerous and should never be stopped abruptly without medical supervision.
Tolerance, dependence, and addiction — what's the difference?
These get confused often. Tolerance means needing more for the same effect. Physical dependence means your body has adapted and you get withdrawal without the drug — this can happen even with properly prescribed medication and is not the same as addiction. Addiction (substance use disorder) is the compulsive use and loss of control captured by the 11 criteria. You can be dependent without being addicted, but the self-check helps tell them apart.
Substance use disorder is treatable
Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing or a willpower problem. It ranges from mild to severe, and effective treatment exists at every level — from brief counseling and medications to outpatient and residential programs. Recovery is the rule, not the exception, especially when help starts early. See what the road looks like in our guide to the stages of recovery.
What to do next
If your result was mild
Consider a break to reset, track your use honestly, and talk with your primary-care doctor — brief interventions are effective at this stage. Worried about drinking too, or instead? Take our "Am I an alcoholic?" self-check.
If your result was moderate or severe
Talk to a professional about the right level of care, and do not stop opioids or benzodiazepines abruptly on your own — withdrawal can be dangerous. Consider medical detox first, and if a mental-health condition is also present, look into dual-diagnosis treatment. Compare inpatient vs. outpatient and check how to pay for treatment.
If you're worried about someone else
See our guides on how to help a loved one and how to stage an intervention. You can also search verified treatment centers and check insurance coverage in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It's a private self-check based on the DSM-5 criteria clinicians use, but only a qualified professional can diagnose a substance use disorder. Use your result as a starting point for a conversation with a doctor.
How do I know if I'm a drug addict?
There's no single line. Clinicians look at the 11 criteria above — loss of control, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and continued use despite harm. Meeting 2 or more in a year indicates a substance use disorder, ranging from mild to severe.
Can you be addicted to weed?
Yes. The CDC estimates about 3 in 10 marijuana users have some cannabis use disorder. Daily use, needing more over time, irritability or sleep problems when stopping, and failed attempts to quit are the warning signs.
What's the difference between dependence and addiction?
Physical dependence means your body adapts and you get withdrawal without the drug — it can happen even with prescribed medicine. Addiction is the compulsive use and loss of control. You can be dependent without being addicted.
What are the first signs of drug addiction?
Early signs include using more or longer than intended, needing more for the same effect, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, and craving. These usually appear long before any obvious crisis.
Is it safe to stop drugs on my own?
For some drugs, yes — but opioid withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening, so those should not be stopped abruptly without medical supervision. Talk to a doctor first.
Do I have to be an "addict" to get help?
No. You don't need any label or a "bad enough" problem to deserve support. Counseling and cutting back help at every level, and earlier action is easier.
Where can I get help right now?
Call SAMHSA's free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), 24/7 in English and Spanish. In a crisis, call or text 988. To find treatment, search verified centers near you.
Sources & further reading
This self-assessment is educational and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Withdrawal from some drugs can be life-threatening; consult a licensed clinician before making changes. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911 or 988.