Most medical tests are specialists. One test checks for alcohol; another checks for tobacco. But in the real world, our habits rarely stay in such neat little boxes.
A person might smoke cigarettes to wake up, drink wine to fall asleep, and occasionally use something else to relax on the weekend. To understand the true impact on your health, you can’t just look at these things in isolation. You need a tool that sees the whole picture.
The Science: The Global “Super-Screener”
The ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) was developed by an international group of researchers for the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is widely considered the most comprehensive screening tool in existence for primary care. Unlike simpler tests, the ASSIST covers 10 different substance groups simultaneously:
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Inhalants
- Sedatives
- Hallucinogens
- Opioids
- Other drugs
It doesn’t just ask “Do you use them?” It calculates a specific Risk Score for each substance based on your usage frequency, cravings, and problems over the last 3 months. This allows doctors (and you) to see exactly which substances are “green” (safe), “yellow” (risky), or “red” (high risk).
The Tool: WHO ASSIST
This is a longer assessment than the quick screens (8 detailed questions per substance used). It takes about 5-10 minutes, but the detailed report it provides is worth the time.
👉 Take the Test: ASSIST Screening Test
What To Do With Your Score
The ASSIST gives you a score (0-30+) for each substance.
- Low Risk (0-3): Your current pattern is low risk. Keep doing what you’re doing.
- Moderate Risk (4-26): “Brief Intervention Zone.” You aren’t addicted yet, but you are harming your health. This is the sweet spot where cutting back now prevents major disease later.
- High Risk (27+): “Referral Zone.” This indicates likely dependence. At this level, willpower alone is often not enough. You likely need specialized treatment or counseling to quit safely.
Safety & Disclaimer
This tool is for educational purposes only and is not a medical diagnosis.
- Polysubstance Warning: Using multiple substances together (like alcohol and sedatives) significantly increases the risk of fatal overdose. If your report shows high risk in multiple categories, please prioritize seeing a doctor.
- Emergency: Call emergency services immediately if you or someone else is unresponsive or having a medical crisis (e.g., 988 in the US, 14416 in India).
References
- WHO ASSIST Working Group. (2002). The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST): development, reliability and feasibility. Addiction.
- Humeniuk, R., et al. (2008). Validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Addiction.
- World Health Organization. (2010). The ASSIST-linked brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use: manual for use in primary care.