Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory

There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged

Although the main goal of the assessment is to refer clients to treatment, many clients refuse treatment. However, they are willing to accept referrals to non-addiction agencies to resolve problems that have either been caused by addiction or that led to the problems. This assessment may be an intervention that the client needs. You will want to use the appropriate research-based screening tools that may be applicable to the client’s individual circumstances.

Practice models used in treatment of substance abuse have up until recently only been recommended for the intervention of younger addicts. As a result, treatment approaches for older adults are lacking in evidence. However, screening for substance abuse is the first step towards determining if a more thorough assessment is needed. Cook et al. (1998) reported that it is necessary to take a holistic approach to treatment, and take a broader focus than just the chemical abuse because as people age their psychological and health problems become more complex (p. 146). Older adults face life changes and lack of poor support networks are more deeply felt. Bogunovic (2012) answered that, “A comprehensive evaluation should include a thorough physical examination and laboratory analysis and psychiatric, neurological, and social evaluation.” Such measures are effective when paired with screening

As clinicians, there is a duty to provide as clear of a diagnostic assessment as possible, particularly in relation to substance use, in order to provide the best care. In Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, the authors state “as with other diseases and disorders, the earlier a therapist diagnoses a substance abuse problem, the better the prognosis for the client.” (Stevens & Smith, 2013) This makes assessment crucial to the diagnostic process. In “Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) for illicit drug and alcohol use at multiple heathcare sites,” written by Madras, Compton, Avula, Stegbauer, Stein, & Clark (2009), the reported 2006 NSDUH survey statistics estimated that “22.6 million people harbor a diagnosable alcohol or illicit drug use disorder.” (Madras et.al, 2009) Over the years, researchers have developed

Alcohol abuse is growing rapidly throughout U.S. society. One in every twelve adults is being diagnosed with alcohol abuse (Barlow and Durand, 2006). All that are diagnosed with alcohol abuse must meet one or more of the following criteria within a twelve month period: he/ she must fail to accomplish major work, school or home

According to Feldstein and Miller (2007), explain that the SASSI was publish is 1985 and select by counselors to use with other screening instruments. Wormer and Davis (2013) describe the SASSI form with true/false question not pertaining to substance or alcohol. This SASSI assessment is the most used tool that has different versions (Miller, Woodson, Howell, & Shields, 2009). For instance, the SASSI 3 has 10 scales with 93 items to identify if a client has a substance disorders. In addition, the scales include the Face Valid Alcohol, Face Valid Other Drug, Symptoms, Obvious Attributes, Subtle Attributes, Defensiveness, Supplemental Addiction Measure, Family History, and Tendency to Involvement

One of the earliest adoption studies was conducted by Goodwin et al., (1973). Results of the study showed that men whose parents were alcoholics had an increased likelihood of alcoholism, even when adopted and raised by non-alcoholic parents from birth. The results provided strong support for a genetic component to alcohol dependence, as treatment for alcohol problems (9% versus 1%) and meeting criteria for alcoholism (18% versus 5%) were all significantly higher in the adopted-away children of parents with alcohol problems/ dependence (Goodwin et al., 1973).

The most common substance of abuse in the world is alcohol. This is because it is legal and readily accessible. Most mental health professionals will use the CAGE questionnaire. This asks 4 questions. The first is, "do people complain about my drinking?" The second is, "do I get annoyed when people complain about my drinking?" The third is, "do I feel guilty about my drinking?" The last is, "Do I ever need an eye-opener?" An eye-opener is a drink in the morning. This is usually consumed to relieve a hangover. If the answer is "yes" to 2 or more of these questions, there is a high likelihood the individual is struggling with addiction. Positive responses are signs that a serious problem exists and needs to be

Alcoholism is identified by severe dependence or addiction and cumulative patterns of characteristic behaviors. An alcoholic’s frequent intoxication is obvious and destructive; interfering with the ability to socialize and work. These behavior patterns may lead to loss of work and relationships (Merck, 1999). Strong evidence suggests that alcoholism runs in families (Schuckit, 2009). According to a study published by Schuckit (1999) monozygotic twins were at a significantly higher risk of alcoholism if one twin was an alcoholic. Ehlers, Lind, and Wilhelmsen (2008) conducted a study to investigate the influence a single opioid receptor on alcohol dependence rates among Native Americans. Ehlers, et al. (2008) noted that people with lower

The standardized Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) instrument form is a comprehensive, integrated tool that can enable health professionals in any setting to quickly assess persons with substance use disorders (SUDs) or at risk of developing these disorders, to deliver early intervention to at-risk substance users, and assist those in need of a brief intervention or more intensive treatment receive appropriate treatment services (SAMHSA, 2015). The SBIRT form consists of few sections. It incorporates a 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire made of two sections: the alcohol pre-screen which is the first level screen that assesses patients or clients for alcohol use and consists of questions one to three, and the full screen which consists of questions four to 10 and identifies signs of dependence with questions four to six and related problems with questions seven to 10.

Prescott, C. A., Madden, P. A. F., & Stallings, M. C. (2006). Challenges in genetic studies of the etiology of substance use and substance use disorders: Introduction to the special issue. Behavior Genetics, 36(4), 473-482.

The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.

Based on the results of Swedish adoption studies, some researchers divide alcoholism into two types. Type I, the most common, occurs in both men and women and is associated with adult-onset alcohol dependence. This form, also known as "milieu-limited" alcoholism, appears to be the result of "genetic predisposition and environmental provocation," according to NIAAA's 1991 publication Alcohol Research: Promise for the Decade--that is, the development of alcoholism in these cases is an interaction between inherited predisposition and the person's life situations.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence cites fourteen primary indicators of alcohol or

The client, Maria received a score of nineteen on her Alcohol Screening Questionnaire (AUDIT). Maria’s score can be interpreted as being in zone three which is considered harmful. The appropriate action for the aforementioned zone is a brief intervention or referral to specialized treatment. The intervention process is a procedure that is used to highlight how problematic alcohol use can be in one’s life. After the client and social worker’s realization of the frequency and seriousness of the patient’s alcohol use, it is advantageous to formulate a plan to lessen alcohol usage. Motivational Interviewing is a method that can be used in counseling sessions which encourages the client to become a motivated participator of change by identifying, exploring, and resolving he or she’s ambivalence towards their damaging behavior [PowerPoint Slides]. MI is collaborative and client-centered thus the patient can contribute to their planned change process. The process of MI involves appealing to, concentrating on, evoking, and lastly, planning with the patient. Subsequent steps of MI are reflection, summarization, and exploring inconsistencies [PowerPoint Slides]. Shifting gears,