Can You Stop Using a Drug?
Damián Ruiz
This test is merely indicative and has no psychometric validity beyond serving as a mirror to help you understand your current state regarding the use of a substance and your level of awareness about it.
You just need to answer each question with **YES** or **NO**.
For this occasion, we will leave out both tobacco and alcohol—not because they are not addictive substances, but because we want to focus on other elements: cocaine, cannabis, synthetic drugs, hallucinogens, amphetamines, etc.
Please answer truthfully—not what you think is the “correct” answer. After all, this is just a self-awareness test.
Questions
- Do you use that drug at least twice a month? **YES / NO**
- Do you believe you could quit at any time if you wanted to? **YES / NO**
- Do you think that, in today’s society, taking some kind of drug occasionally isn’t all that bad? **YES / NO**
- Have you ever tried to stop using it for a period longer than six months? **YES / NO**
- Is your closest circle of friends mostly made up of people who use drugs? **YES / NO**
- Do you think your life would be worse if you completely stopped using that kind of drug? **YES / NO**
- Does taking drugs—even if rarely—help you escape your problems? **YES / NO**
- Does drug use help you feel emotionally better? **YES / NO**
- Does using a substance help you socialize? **YES / NO**
- Do you believe most people use drugs (excluding prescription medication)? **YES / NO**
- Do you think that some form of drug use is necessary to cope with the current pace of life? **YES / NO**
- Do you think that once you quit drugs for good, the brain recovers immediately? **YES / NO**
- Do you agree with this statement:
“There are certain types of work or responsibilities that cannot be maintained without taking some kind of drug.” **YES / NO**
- And with this one: “I’ve been using for so many years that I don’t know if I could handle life without taking some substance. ***YES / NO**
- Do you believe that using a drug from time to time isn’t really that important? **YES / NO**
Scoring
Between 0 and 5 YES answers
You have a good level of awareness that drug use is harmful to your life. You’re in a position to seek professional or personal help to fully overcome this issue.
Between 5 and 9 YES answers
You are not yet fully aware of the problem you have. You should make an effort to get more informed. Seek guidance from professionals, doctors, psychologists, or people who have been through this.
10 or more YES answers
You have a serious problem. Besides being caught up in drug use, your lack of self-awareness and understanding of the issue may make it hard to begin the healing process. Please reflect on it, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Damián Ruiz
Psychologist and author of “Cómo dejar, o hacer que deje, la cocaína”
Barcelona, July 2025