Using the alcohol, smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to determine substance abuse prevalence in the RI trauma population

R I Med J (2013). 2014 Feb 3;97(2):42-4.

Abstract

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 (ASSIST) is a validated screening measure for all substances 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 admitted 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 additional 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.

Keywords: ASSIST; substance abuse; trauma.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Rhode Island
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Wounds and Injuries / complications