What is the CRAFFT Screening Tool for Adolescents?

Screening adolescents and young adults for potentially dangerous drug and alcohol addictions is a difficult proposition. Young people are likely to give evasive or simply incorrect answers or get defensive if asked about their drinking or drug use. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Substance Abuse recommends using the CRAFFT screening tool as a way to judge if people 21 or younger need addiction treatment.

CRAFFT is an acronym that stands for the six questions asked in the test to determine if a teen or young adult needs alcohol or drug rehabilitation (as described by Children’s Hospital Boston):

C – Have you ever ridden in a CAR driven by someone (including yourself) who was "high" or had been using alcohol or drugs?
R – Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to RELAX, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
A – Do you ever use alcohol/drugs while you are by yourself, ALONE?
F – Do you ever FORGET things you did while using alcohol or drugs?
F – Do your family or FRIENDS ever tell you that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
T – Have you gotten into TROUBLE while you were using alcohol or drugs?

Answers of yes on even one question can be a sign of problems; a person answering yes to multiple questions should consider alcohol or drug treatment.