A confidential self-assessment for men based on the Opioid Risk Tool developed by Dr. Lynn Webster. Scored results in under 3 minutes.
Based on the ORT by Dr. Lynn Webster 100% Confidential Built for Men
Understanding Opioid Addiction Risk
Not everyone who takes opioids becomes addicted. But certain risk factors make some men significantly more vulnerable than others. Understanding your personal risk profile is not about blame. It is about awareness. Knowing where you stand gives you and the people who care about you a clearer picture of what support might look like.
This assessment uses the Opioid Risk Tool to evaluate known risk factors including family history, personal history of substance use, age, and mental health history. It takes about three minutes and your results are completely private.
About this assessment: The Opioid Risk Tool was developed by Dr. Lynn R. Webster and published in Pain Medicine in 2005. It is one of the most widely used validated screening tools for opioid misuse risk and is used by clinicians, pain specialists, and addiction professionals worldwide. Scoring on this page reflects the male version of the ORT. This is a screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
Opioid Risk Tool for Men
Question 1 of 9
Question 1
Result
Recommended next steps
Risk Factors for Opioid Addiction in Men
Opioid use disorder does not develop randomly. Research has identified a consistent set of biological, psychological, and social risk factors that make certain individuals significantly more likely to develop problematic opioid use. Understanding these factors is the foundation of the ORT.
Family history of alcohol or drug problems
Personal history of substance use
Age between 16 and 45
History of depression or anxiety
ADHD, OCD, or bipolar disorder
History of childhood trauma or abuse
Using opioids to manage emotional pain
Taking more opioids than prescribed
What the Opioid Risk Tool Actually Measures
The ORT was developed by Dr. Lynn Webster and published in Pain Medicine in 2005. It was originally designed to help clinicians assess patients before prescribing opioids for chronic pain, predicting which individuals were most likely to develop opioid misuse or addiction. It has since become one of the most referenced screening tools in addiction medicine.
The tool focuses on five core areas: family history of substance abuse, personal history of substance use, age, history of preadolescent trauma, and the presence of certain psychological conditions. Each factor is weighted based on its statistical association with opioid misuse. A higher score does not mean addiction is inevitable. It means the risk profile warrants attention and potentially a conversation with a professional.
Signs That Opioid Use Has Become a Problem
Risk factors predict vulnerability. These signs suggest a problem may already be present.
Taking opioids more often or in larger amounts than intended
Strong cravings or urges to use
Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from opioids
Continuing use despite problems at work or in relationships
Needing more of the drug to feel the same effect
Withdrawal symptoms when not using
Hiding use or being dishonest about how much you take
Trying to stop and finding that you cannot
When Opioid Addiction and Sexual Compulsivity Overlap
Research shows that men dealing with opioid and substance use disorders have significantly higher rates of compulsive sexual behavior than the general population. This connection is not coincidental. Both patterns often share the same root: unresolved trauma, emotional dysregulation, and a learned pattern of using external stimulation to manage internal pain.
Treating one without addressing the other is one of the most common reasons early recovery breaks down. Prescott House is one of the few programs in the country equipped to treat both opioid addiction and sexual compulsivity within a single integrated treatment plan.
A high score on the ORT means your personal history includes several factors that research has linked to opioid misuse risk. It is not a sentence. It is information. Many men with high ORT scores have built lasting recovery with the right support structure in place.
At Prescott House, our admissions team can walk you through what a confidential clinical assessment looks like, what treatment options are available, and how to verify your insurance benefits. There is no pressure and no obligation. The call is the first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ORT measures known risk factors for opioid misuse and addiction including family history of substance problems, personal history of substance use, age, history of trauma, and the presence of certain mental health conditions. It does not measure how much you use or how often. It assesses the underlying factors that make opioid dependence more likely to develop. A higher score means more risk factors are present, not that addiction is certain.
The original ORT uses gender-specific scoring because certain risk factors carry different statistical weights for men and women. Since Prescott House treats men exclusively, this version uses the male scoring model throughout. This makes the results more accurate and directly relevant to the population we serve. Men also face distinct social pressures around admitting substance use problems, and we have built the surrounding content with that in mind.
Yes. Prescription opioids carry the same addiction risk as non-prescription opioids. Opioid use disorder frequently develops in people who were initially prescribed medication for legitimate pain management. In fact, the ORT was originally designed specifically for patients about to begin opioid therapy, to identify who was most at risk before a prescription was written. If your use of prescribed medication has started to feel out of control, that is worth taking seriously regardless of how it started.
Yes, and it is more common than most people realize. Research consistently shows that men with substance use disorders have significantly elevated rates of compulsive sexual behavior. Both often share the same underlying drivers including unresolved trauma, shame, and learned patterns of using external behavior to manage difficult emotions. At Prescott House, we treat co-occurring opioid addiction and sexual compulsivity within a single integrated program so that both issues are addressed together rather than sequentially.
It depends on your current level of use. Opioid withdrawal can be medically significant and detox is sometimes a necessary first step before residential treatment. Our admissions team will help you figure out whether a medical detox is needed before coming to Prescott House and can connect you with trusted detox partners if so. You do not need to have it all figured out before reaching out. That is what the first call is for.
Prescott House offers men's residential treatment that addresses substance use alongside any co-occurring issues like trauma, mental health disorders, or compulsive sexual behavior. Our program typically runs 90 days or longer and includes individual therapy, group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a structured aftercare plan. We treat the whole person, not just the substance use. If you have a history of trauma or a co-occurring behavioral addiction, that becomes part of the treatment plan from day one.
Important: This screening tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Results are private and not stored. If you are in crisis or experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately or call our admissions team at (866) 425-2470. You can also reach SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.
