Screening, Assessment, and Brief Interventions for Substance Use

Abstract

This chapter will focus on screening, assessment, and brief interventions for substance use disorders designed for use in healthcare settings, such as trauma centers, emergency rooms, physician offices, and integrated community-based health and behavioral health centers. The chapter begins with a review of the epidemiology of substance use disorders. Diagnostic assessment information about substance use disorders will then be provided, followed by a review of specific screening and assessment tools and practices. Next, skills and practices associated with brief interventions designed to motivate patients to reduce unhealthy behaviors or seek out treatment will be reviewed and applied to an illustrative case example.