DUDIT

What is the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT)?

The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) is a screening tool designed to identify individuals with potential drug-related problems and substance use disorders. Developed as a parallel to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), it focuses on detecting misuse of substances other than alcohol. The DUDIT is widely used in healthcare, the criminal justice system, and other drug treatment services to assess individuals who may require intervention for drug dependence (Berman et al., 2004).

The DUDIT includes 11 questions that assess the frequency and intensity of drug consumption, such as using heavy drugs or using multiple substances on the same occasion, as well as the social, emotional, and behavioral impact of drug use. It also screens for feelings of guilt, which are often associated with substance use disorders (SUDs), and the extent to which drug use has influenced heavily the individual's life. It has high diagnostic accuracy and psychometric properties for detecting SUDs, particularly in clinically selected groups (Basedow et al., 2021; Voluse et al., 2012).

How to use our DUDIT template

DUDIT screens effectively for drug use and dependence while minimizing false positives. By identifying individuals at risk of harmful use, it promotes improved outcomes for people struggling with substance use disorders. Here's how to use this:

Step 1: Download the template

From this guide, you can choose to "Use template" and access it through the Carepatron platform, where you can customize it according to your needs. You can also select "Download" to get a fillable PDF copy of this DUDIT template.

Step 2: Explain to the client

Take a moment to explain to the client what the DUDIT is, how to fill it out, and why it's essential. Let them know that completing the form accurately helps provide valuable insights for their care. Be sure to emphasize that their personal information should also be filled in carefully.

Step 3. Administer the questionnaire

Hand out the form to the participants, whether in digital or printed format. If it's a digital form, guide them through the process, especially if they're unfamiliar with online forms. If it's a printed copy, they can quickly answer each question by marking the response that best matches their experience.

Step 4: Calculate the total score

Once the form is completed, add the scores from the selected responses. Write the total score at the bottom of the form. There's also a Remarks section where you can jot down any relevant comments, observations, or additional information regarding any other drug treatment service.

Step 5: Save and share the results

Once completed, save the filled-out form securely. Share it with relevant healthcare professionals or store it in a secure system for further assessment and action if required.

Scoring and interpretation

The Drug Use Disorder Identification Test (DUDIT) is scored by assigning numerical values to responses across its 11 items, focusing on drug consumption, impacts on daily life, and guilt feelings associated with use. The total score ranges from 0 to 44, with higher scores indicating more severe drug-related problems, the use of more than one drug, or potential substance use disorders.

For items 1-9, responses are assigned values of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. Items 10 and 11 are scored as 0, 2, or 4. Add up the scores for all 11 items, with a maximum possible score of 44.

• A male client with 6 points or more probably has drug-related problems.
• A female client with 2 points or more probably has drug-related problems.
• A client with 25 points or more is probably heavily dependent on drugs.

Following these steps, you can use the DUDIT template to assess drug use patterns and related behaviors.

Next steps after conducting the test

After conducting the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), the next step is to assess the results to determine the severity of the drug-related problems or substance use disorders (SUD) indicated by the score.

Referral to treatment services

For individuals with high DUDIT scores, referral to other drug treatment services may be necessary if it indicates a substance use disorder. This ensures appropriate care for heavy drug use or drug dependence. In cases where the individual shows signs of mental health comorbidity, integrated treatment addressing both substance use disorders and mental health issues should be considered.

Further assessment and monitoring

For those with moderate to severe symptoms, further evaluation is essential. If substance abuse or drug use disorders are suspected, they  may require additional monitoring. The use of screening instruments can help track drug consumption and assess progress.

Provide support and education

During follow-up, it's essential to address any feelings of guilt or bad conscience the individual may experience and to discuss long-term recovery strategies. Integrating screening tools like the DUDIT with ongoing care significantly improves the chances of successful intervention and recovery, especially for adolescent psychiatric patients.

Benefits of using our template

Here are the benefits of using this template:

Easy to use and time-saving

Our fillable DUDIT template is designed to be user-friendly, making it simple to input and manage patient data. It saves time and reduces the risk of errors.

Promotes consistency in documentation

With the template, you can ensure that all necessary information is captured in a consistent format. This helps maintain uniformity across patient records, making tracking progress and making informed decisions easier.

Improves patient care

By streamlining the data collection process, you can focus more on patients than administrative tasks. The template helps ensure essential details are not missed, leading to better patient outcomes.

References

Basedow, L. A., Kuitunen-Paul, S., Eichler, A., Roessner, V., & Golub, Y. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy of the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test and its short form, the DUDIT-C, in German adolescent psychiatric patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678819

Berman, A. H., Bergman, H., Palmstierna, T., & Schlyter, F. (2004). 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(1), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1159/000081413

Voluse, A. C., Gioia, C. J., Sobell, L. C., Dum, M., Sobell, M. B., & Simco, E. R. (2012). Psychometric properties of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) with substance abusers in outpatient and residential treatment. Addictive Behaviors, 37(1), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.07.030