Drug Screening for Teens
If you're here, you're already doing something that takes courage - being honest with yourself. Maybe you've been using substances and wondering if it's becoming a problem. Maybe a friend or family member suggested you check in. Maybe you're just curious. Whatever brought you here, there is no judgment - only information that can help you understand where you stand.
This free, private screening uses the CRAFFT, a tool designed specifically for young people ages 12 to 21. It is used by doctors and counselors to understand substance use patterns - not to label or punish. It is not a diagnosis, and no one will see your answers. Everything stays in your browser. This is just for you.
Takes about 3 minutes. Completely private - nothing is stored or shared.
Why This Matters
Teen substance use is common
By 12th grade, approximately half of teens have tried an illicit substance and more than 60% have tried alcohol. You are not alone, and there is no shame in checking in with yourself. Source: NIMH
Developing brain vulnerability
The teen brain is still developing until approximately age 25. Substance use during this window carries higher risks for lasting effects on memory, learning, and mental health than at any other time in life. Source: CDC
Early intervention works
Catching concerning patterns early leads to significantly better outcomes. Teens who receive support before substance use becomes entrenched have far more options and far better long-term results. Source: SAMHSA
What To Expect
This screening uses the CRAFFT, the most widely used substance use screening tool for young people. It was developed at Boston Children's Hospital and is validated in peer-reviewed research.
What it asks: Short, straightforward questions about your substance use and related behaviors - like riding in a car with someone who had been using, using substances to relax, or getting into trouble because of substance use.
No trick questions: The CRAFFT is not trying to catch you or make you feel bad. It is designed to help you see patterns you might not have noticed.
Risk factors it considers: Peer pressure, stress, trauma, mental health, and the natural risk-taking that comes with being young. These are not excuses - they are context that matters.
What it's not: This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A high score does not make you a bad person or an "addict." It means talking to someone could help. The WHO notes that early identification is one of the most effective ways to address adolescent substance risk.
Your privacy: Everything happens in your browser. No one - not your parents, school, doctor, or anyone else - can see your answers. This is 100% private.
Take the CRAFFT Screening
Answer each question honestly. There are no right or wrong answers.
Last updated: May 14, 2026
A CRAFFT-based substance screening designed for teens that assesses drug and alcohol use risk in adolescents.
Teens or parents of teens who want to evaluate whether adolescent substance use has reached concerning levels.
Teen brains are especially vulnerable to substance effects - early screening enables early intervention. This tool is for informational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.
Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II
Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC-II) · 11 years of clinical experience
What Is the Teen Drug Screening?
How Is the Teen Drug Screening Scored?
What Do My Drug Screening Results Mean?
CRAFFT Screening
A quick, confidential check-in about alcohol, drugs, and safety — designed for young people ages 12–21.
~2 minutes · Yes/No questions · Completely private · CRAFFT 2.1+N
No judgment here. Your answers are private — they stay in your browser and are never saved or shared with anyone. Not your parents, not your school, not us.
Part A: Past 12 Months
Answer Yes or No to each question.
During the past 12 months, did you drink any alcohol (more than a few sips)?
During the past 12 months, did you use any marijuana (weed, oil, or edibles) or hashish?
During the past 12 months, did you use anything else to get high (like other drugs, over-the-counter or prescription medications not prescribed to you, or things you sniff or huff)?
During the past 12 months, did you use any nicotine or tobacco products (including e-cigarettes, vapes, cigarettes, cigars, hookah, or chewing tobacco)?(+N)
Please answer all questions to continue
Clinical Disclaimer
The CRAFFT is a screening tool for educational and self-reflection purposes. It is not a clinical assessment and cannot determine whether you have a substance use problem. A positive screen (score of 2+) suggests that further conversation with a trusted adult or healthcare provider may be helpful. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for substance use concerns. Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II. Eleven years of substance use counseling experience. Clinical content drawn from CDC, NIMH, SAMHSA, and WHO.
Need to Talk to Someone?
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 · 24/7 · Free
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 · 24/7
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357 · 24/7
Teen Line
Text TEEN to 839863 or call 1-800-852-8336
If you are under 18 and in crisis, you can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Your responses are scored entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
Your Next Steps
Talk to someone you trust
A parent, school counselor, coach, older sibling, doctor, or any adult you feel safe with. You do not have to figure this out alone. If you're not sure how to start the conversation, showing them your results can be an easy way in.
Teen Line
Call 1-800-852-8336 (6 PM to 10 PM PST) to talk with another teen who has been trained to listen. Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone your own age first. You can also text TEEN to 839863 or visit teenline.org.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor anytime, day or night. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7. If texting feels easier than talking, this is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this screening a substitute for professional medical or counseling care?
No. This is an educational tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Your results do not constitute a diagnosis of a substance use disorder. If you are concerned about your substance use or are in crisis, please call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741. For any substance use concerns, speak with a licensed counselor, therapist, or your doctor.
Is experimenting with substances normal for teens?
Many teens try alcohol or other substances at some point, and experimentation alone does not mean someone has a substance use disorder. However, the teen brain is still developing - particularly the areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and risk assessment - which makes early substance use riskier than it would be for adults. What matters is the pattern: how often, how much, and whether it is affecting your life. This screening helps you look at those patterns honestly.
What does the CRAFFT screen for?
The CRAFFT is a clinically validated screening tool designed specifically for young people ages 12 to 21. It screens for risky substance use patterns including alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. The name stands for Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, and Trouble - each representing a key risk behavior. It does not diagnose addiction; it identifies whether your substance use patterns may benefit from further evaluation.
Does a high score mean I am an addict?
No. A high score on the CRAFFT does not mean you are addicted or that there is something wrong with you as a person. It means your pattern of substance use may be putting you at risk, and it would be worth talking to someone you trust - a counselor, doctor, or other trusted adult. Substance use exists on a spectrum, and catching concerning patterns early gives you the most options and the best outcomes.
Will my results be shared with anyone?
No. This screening runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored, saved, or sent anywhere. No one - not your parents, school, or anyone else - can see your answers or results. This is a private check-in with yourself. What you do with the information is completely your choice.
Should I tell my parents about my substance use?
That depends on your situation and your relationship with your parents. If you feel safe talking to them, it can be a relief to have their support. If you are not ready, consider talking to another trusted adult - a school counselor, doctor, coach, relative, or therapist. You do not have to figure this out alone, and you get to choose who you talk to first.
What if I think I need help?
Recognizing that you might need help is a brave and important step. You can talk to your school counselor, your doctor, or call the Teen Line at 1-800-852-8336 (6 PM to 10 PM PST). You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line anytime. If you are in immediate danger, call 988. Help is available, it is confidential, and asking for it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
What does teen substance use treatment look like?
Treatment for teens is different from adult treatment and is designed to be age-appropriate. It may include individual therapy, family therapy, group sessions with other teens, and education about the developing brain. Most teen treatment is outpatient, meaning you can continue going to school. The goal is not punishment - it is giving you tools and support to make choices that protect your future.
How does substance use affect the developing brain?
The brain continues developing until approximately age 25, with the prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment, planning, and impulse control) being the last area to mature. Substance use during this critical period can interfere with brain development, affect memory and learning, increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life, and impact mental health. This is not meant to scare you - it is meant to help you make informed choices.
Crisis Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 - free, 24/7, confidential
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 - free referrals, 24/7
- Teen Line: 1-800-852-8336 - teen-to-teen support, 6 PM-10 PM PST
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 - free, 24/7
This screening tool is for educational purposes only - it is not a diagnosis. Only a qualified healthcare professional can assess substance use disorders. Your responses are processed entirely in your browser and are never stored or transmitted. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice.
Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II. Eleven years of substance use counseling experience. Clinical content drawn from CDC, NIMH, SAMHSA, and WHO.
Last reviewed: May 2026