Scoring: The checklist is designed so that the greater the number of selected items, the greater the degree of risk-taking behavior the client is willing to engage in, which can indicate a propensity to place oneself in unsafe and potentially dangerous situations where substances are consumed.

Administration and Clinical Use: It is recommended that the Risk-Taking Checklist be asked of new clients during the initial assessment or intake interview. The checklist of items can be administered orally to clients or clients can complete the checklist of items on his/her own. The results can be used by the clinician to highlight discussion points to be emphasized during the initial intake interview, such as the client's willingness to engage in risky behaviors and pursue the use of stimulants.

Associated Factors: Additional factors moderating risk-taking behavior include high hostility, higher degrees of anxiety, lower sense of self-esteem, poor impulse control, and elevated depression levels. It is recommended that additional evaluation of clients be conducted using available standardized instruments of each of these constructs and others that are associated with risk-taking behavior, so that an accurate clinical profile can be drawn of the client.

Please check any of the following you would be willing to do in the future:

__________ 1. Miss school or work so I can go out with my friends to have a good time.
__________ 2. Smoke cigarettes.
__________ 3. Play "chicken" when driving with others in the car.
__________ 4. Take a dare, even when I know it could be dangerous.
__________ 5. Try a new drug I've heard about from my friends.
__________ 6. Drink alcohol until I pass out.
__________ 7. Take something from a store that I haven't paid for.
__________ 8. Accept a ride from someone I don't know.
__________ 9. Drive very fast on highways.
__________ 10. Do something illegal because I'm bored.
__________ 11. Frequent places where dope is consumed.
__________ 12. Play with guns as if they were toys.
__________ 13. Take unlabeled pills from people I meet at parties.
__________ 14. Have sex with someone I don't know.
__________ 15 Accept drinks at parties from people I don't know.
__________ 16. Take a pill I have never tried before to get a "new high."
__________ 17. Do something others don't approve of because I need to be stimulated.
__________ 18. Deal drugs for money.
__________ 19. Engage in unprotected sex.
__________ 20. Steal something when my friends encourage me to do so.

Sylvia Kay Fisher is a research psychologist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. She was formerly a therapist who has extensive experience with gay and lesbian clients. Ronnie Fisher is a professor of psychology at Miami-Dade Community College. Previously, he was a social worker and counselor.