Addiction Assessment in Hyderabad & Online
Addiction assessment is a structured professional evaluation for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol, drugs or nicotine, or repetitive behaviours such as gambling, gaming, excessive digital use, compulsive sexual behaviour or compulsive eating.
It may be helpful when a substance or behaviour has become difficult to control, repeatedly leads to unwanted consequences, or begins to affect health, work, studies, relationships, finances, routines or emotional wellbeing.
At Manaha Clinic, addiction assessment looks beyond a single questionnaire score. The evaluation considers the specific substance or behaviour, its frequency and severity, attempts to reduce or stop, functional impact, associated mental-health concerns and other factors that may influence treatment.
Depending on the individual concern, relevant standardized assessment tools may be selected for alcohol, substance use, nicotine, gambling, gaming, excessive digital use, compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive eating patterns or other behavioural addictions.
Where broader clinical input would strengthen the assessment, an integrated consultation with a psychiatrist may also be included.
Depending on individual requirements, parts of the assessment process may be completed online, in person or through a combination of both.
Why Choose Manaha for Addiction Assessment?
Clinical
Psychologists
Structured Clinical Assessment
Individualised Assessment Battery
Online and In-Person Options
Could an Addiction Assessment Be Helpful?
An assessment may be worth considering when the use of a substance or a repetitive behaviour is becoming difficult to control or is beginning to interfere with everyday functioning.
Common concerns include:
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Repeatedly trying to reduce or stop but finding it difficult
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Spending increasing amounts of time using, engaging in or thinking about the substance or behaviour
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Strong urges, cravings or preoccupation
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Needing increasing amounts or intensity to achieve the same effect
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Feeling uncomfortable, restless or unwell when trying to stop, where relevant
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Continuing despite physical, emotional or relationship consequences
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Hiding, minimising or feeling guilty about the behaviour
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Problems at work, college or school
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Conflict with family or partners
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Financial difficulties related to the behaviour
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Sleep disruption or changes in daily routine
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Returning to the behaviour after previous attempts to stop
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Feeling that the behaviour has become more important than other activities or responsibilities
Having some of these difficulties does not necessarily mean that a person has an addiction. A structured assessment helps understand the pattern, severity, functional impact and whether further clinical evaluation or treatment may be helpful.
Types of Addiction & Compulsive Behaviour Concerns
GAMBLING, GAMING & DIGITAL USE
Betting, gaming, internet & social media.
COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
Problematic pornography use & repetitive sexual behaviours
SUBSTANCE USE
Alcohol, drugs, nicotine & prescription misuse
OTHER COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS
Food, shopping & other difficult-to-control behaviours
Across substances and behaviours, warning signs may include increasing preoccupation, difficulty cutting down, loss of control and continuing despite harmful consequences.
When Does a Habit Become an Addiction?
In this short conversation, Dr Jyothirmayi Kotipalli, Founder & Chief Psychiatrist at Manaha Clinic, discusses the difference between a habit and an addiction, early warning signs and when it may be useful to seek professional help.
What Does the Addiction Assessment Involve?
Addiction assessment is individualised. We do not administer the same set of questionnaires to everyone. Depending on the substance or behaviour, severity, age and clinical presentation, the assessment may include established screening, severity and functional-assessment tools.
1
Initial Interview
A detailed discussion about the substance or behaviour that led you to seek an assessment, when it began and how it currently affects everyday life.
2
Addiction & Behavioral History
Review of frequency, amount or intensity, cravings, triggers, attempts to reduce or stop, previous relapses and any tolerance or withdrawal symptoms where relevant.
3
Targeted Assessment
Use of relevant standardised tools such as AUDIT, WHO ASSIST, FTND, IGD-20 and IAT, with additional measures selected according to the presenting concern and initial screening findings.
4
Functional Impact
Understanding how the concern affects physical health, emotional wellbeing, work, education, relationships, finances, routines and responsibilities.
5
Other Possible Concerns
Considering whether depression, anxiety, ADHD, sleep difficulties, trauma, impulsivity, eating-related concerns or other mental-health conditions may be contributing to or occurring alongside the addictive or compulsive behaviour.
6
Feedback & Recommendations
A clear explanation of the findings, the level of concern identified, whether further evaluation may be helpful and the most suitable next steps.
Assessment findings are interpreted alongside the clinical interview, functional impact and relevant mental-health history rather than relying on any single questionnaire score.
More Than an Online Addiction Test
Our Free Online Addiction Test may be a useful first step if you are uncertain whether alcohol, substance use, gambling or another behaviour is becoming problematic.
The free screening currently includes:
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SUSC — Substance Use
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ASC — Alcohol Use
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BASC — Behavioural Addictions
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NODS-GD — Gambling
A professional addiction assessment goes further.
It considers the specific substance or behaviour, pattern and severity, attempts to reduce or stop, functional consequences, psychological or psychiatric concerns and other factors that may influence treatment.
For concerns such as nicotine use, gaming, problematic digital use, compulsive eating or compulsive sexual behaviour, additional targeted assessment tools may be selected according to the presenting concern.
The online test is therefore a screening tool rather than a complete clinical assessment or diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Unsure Whether You Need a Full Addiction
Assessment?
You may begin with our Free Online Addiction Test if you would first like to understand whether there may be a concern. After completing it, let our team know the specific substance or behaviour you are concerned about.
Our clinical coordination team can guide you on whether a Focused Addiction Assessment, Comprehensive Addiction Assessment, Psychiatric consultation or another form of support may be more appropriate.
Having concerns about a substance or behaviour does not automatically mean that a person has an addiction. Assessment helps clarify the pattern and identify the most appropriate next step.