Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) Test

People questioning their drug use or considering support may use the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) Test to identify their current position between recognizing a problem, considering change, and taking action. As a readiness to change questionnaire, it focuses on the respondent’s present view of change rather than estimating substance-related harm in isolation. The result helps distinguish reflection from action at the time of answering.

What This Assessment Explores

This assessment examines recognition of drug-related problems, concern about harm, and movement from reflection toward practical change. The items also address previous efforts, fear of returning to old habits, and the wish for help to continue changing. It suits readers who want an assessment of motivation around drug use, not a standalone estimate of drug-use severity.

The result reflects awareness of the need to change and motivation to act. Readiness to Change (A) is scored 0-10: Low readiness 0-3, Moderate readiness 4-7, High readiness 8-10. The score describes a present tendency toward change.

The questionnaire brings together three recurring themes:

• Problem awareness shows recognition of harm or a need for change.
• Ambivalence reflects uncertainty about dependence and consequences.
• Change effort indicates whether behavior has begun to shift or progress is being maintained.

Methodology and Evidence Base

The 19 statements use five response choices from Strongly disagree to Strongly agree, with Unsure at the midpoint. They cover current drug use, recognition of problems, desire for change, actions already taken, and concern about returning to old habits.

SOCRATES 8D is the closest named source for the wording and subject matter. This online questionnaire is conceptually consistent with that drug-use form, but should not be treated as a verified reproduction or adaptation. The related SOCRATES framework describes three relevant dimensions: recognition, ambivalence, and taking steps.

The stages of change model describes movement through precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance, while allowing recycling rather than a strictly linear path.

Scoring is presented as a single displayed readiness score, but no item-by-item weighting rule is stated. Interpret it alongside the answers and current circumstances: self-report can be affected by honesty, self-awareness, pressure, and temporary motivation. The displayed score uses descriptive bands to show the respondent’s current position.