Using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to Determine Substance Abuse Prevalence in the RI Trauma Population

摘要

BACKGROUND: Level I trauma centers are required to provide screening and brief interventions for alcohol abuse. The World Health Organization ( WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test ( AS- SIST ) is a validated screening measure for all substanc- es of abuse. This study is the first to use the ASSIST to screen a trauma population. METHODS: A cross-sectional screening study using the ASSIST was conducted which included all patients ad- mitted to the trauma service at Rhode Island Hospital during July and August 2012 who met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The ASSIST categorized 25% of participants as needing a brief intervention for alcohol and an addition- al 6.3% as needing more intensive treatment. At least a brief intervention was indicated for at least one other substance besides alcohol in 37% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of the ASSIST to identify misuse of multiple substances makes it a good candidate for the screening measure used by trauma centers.