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Integrated Care for Drug Users assessment: Digest of Tools Used in the Assessment Process and Core Data Sets

Section two: tools used for simple assessment or screening

SIMPLE ASSESSMENT

This first level assessment could be described as the "gateway" into a process of care. It should be a helpful, non-threatening experience designed to encourage the individual to engage in a more in-depth exercise and ultimately promote the development of a therapeutic relationship. Some of these tools are designed for repeated use, to measure change over time, e.g. PLOT. Simple assessment could allow access to low level services, e.g. harm reduction advice and information.

SCREENING

Screening is provided to detect the presence of substance misuse disorders, related problem areas and other indicators that reflect the need for involvement of treatment and care services. Screening would help to identify the nature of service provision required and provide entry-level data to treatment and care services.

The data collected at this stage is likely to be relatively basic, probably socio-demographic information, perhaps cursory information about their drug use and its likely impact on the individual's ability to access services.

TOOLS PROFILED IN THIS SECTION:

• The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (A.U.D.I.T.)

• C.A.G.E.

• Severity of Dependence Scale (S.D.S.)

• Personal Lifestyle Outcome Trace (P.L.O.T.)

• Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (S.A.S.S.I.)

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