Nurses can assess for addictive behaviors through a combination of patient history, physical examination, and specific screening tools. Key questions to ask during assessment may include:
Do you find it difficult to stop [substance or behavior] once you start? Have you experienced any negative consequences from your [substance or behavior] use? Do you feel anxious or irritable when you are unable to engage in [substance or behavior]? Have you tried to cut down or control your use of [substance or behavior]?
