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Past 3-Month Frequency of Urges to Use Street Drugs

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 17, 2026

A questionnaire item asking how often you had a strong desire or urge to use street drugs during the past 3 months.

Quick summary

Frequent urges to use street drugs may warrant a confidential discussion with a healthcare professional.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 17, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC
95447-9
Short code
DURINGTHEPAST3MOHOWOFTENHAVEYOUHADASTRONGDESIREORURGETOUSESTREET
Synonyms
—
Category
liver
Sample
serum
Container
Red-top tube (SST)
Units
N/A
Ref low
10
Ref high
40
Critical range
— – 500 N/A
Fasting
false
Population
adult
Sex
all
Age range
18–65 years
Method
nida
CPT
84484
SNOMED
302774002
Specimen volume
5 mL
Stability
Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
Hemolysis max
500
Lipemia max
1000
Icterus max
500
TAT
4–24 hours
Order
routine

What is this test?

This is a drug-use screening question, not a laboratory test. It asks how often you experienced a strong desire or urge to use street drugs during the previous 3 months.

Why might I need this test?

A clinician may use this question as part of a broader substance-use assessment. Your answers can help identify concerns that may benefit from further evaluation, counseling, or treatment.

How is the test performed?

You answer the question using the response choices provided, usually describing how often the urge occurred during the past 3 months. No blood, urine, or other specimen is required for this item.

How do I prepare for the test?

No special preparation is needed. Answer honestly based on your experiences over the past 3 months, and ask the clinician to explain the response choices if they are unclear.

Reference range

Adult: 10-40 U/LN/A

Specimen: serum

No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

Repeated or strong urges to use street drugs may indicate possible problematic use or a substance-use disorder, but this answer alone cannot establish a diagnosis. The result should be interpreted with other questionnaire items, your history, medications, and any laboratory findings.

Short name

Street drug urge frequency screen

Frequently asked questions

Is this a blood or urine drug test?
No. This item is a questionnaire about urges to use street drugs; it does not involve a laboratory specimen.
What time period does the question cover?
It covers your experiences during the 3 months before the questionnaire is completed.
What if I am unsure how to answer?
Choose the response that best reflects your experience. The clinician administering the questionnaire can clarify the choices and discuss your answers confidentially.
  1. 1
    MedlinePlus — Laboratory TestsSource
  2. 2
    Lab Tests OnlineSource
  3. 3
    Mayo Clinic — Tests & ProceduresSource

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy