Substance Use Assessment & Screening

Cards · 52

Screening

Brief process to identify substance use problems and evaluate if deeper assessment is warranted.

Assessment

In-depth evaluation of substance use, mental health, medical background, and tailored treatment needs.

Intake

Initial administrative and informational procedure to admit a client into services.

Biopsychosocial Assessment

Holistic evaluation analyzing biological, psychological, and social factors impacting a client.

Differential Diagnosis

Clinical process of distinguishing between two or more conditions presenting with similar symptoms.

Diagnostic Criteria

Specific standardized symptoms and conditions required to establish a formal clinical diagnosis.

DSM-5-TR

Standard classification manual used by clinicians to diagnose mental health and substance disorders.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Problematic pattern of substance use causing clinically significant distress or functional impairment.

Mild SUD

Diagnostic threshold met when a client exhibits 2 to 3 DSM-5-TR criteria within a 12-month window.

Moderate SUD

Diagnostic threshold met when a client displays 4 to 5 DSM-5-TR criteria within a 12-month period.

Severe SUD

Diagnostic threshold met when a client presents 6 or more DSM-5-TR criteria within 12 months.

Clinical Interview

Structured or conversational dialogue designed to gather comprehensive client history and symptoms.

Mental Status Examination (MSE)

Structured assessment evaluating appearance, behavior, mood, thought process, perception, and cognition.

Risk Assessment

Evaluation of potential hazards, self-harm, suicidality, or danger to others.

Protective Factors

Internal or environmental strengths that reduce the likelihood of substance misuse or harm.

Risk Factors

Individual or environmental vulnerabilities that increase the likelihood of substance disorders.

Validity

The degree to which an instrument truly measures the specific construct it is intended to measure.

Reliability

The extent to which an assessment tool produces consistent and reproducible results over time.

Sensitivity

A screening tool's statistical ability to correctly identify individuals who truly have a condition.

Specificity

A screening tool's statistical ability to correctly identify individuals who do not have a condition.

AUDIT

A 10-question screening questionnaire designed to identify hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption.

AUDIT-C

A 3-question modified version of the AUDIT focusing specifically on alcohol consumption patterns.

CAGE

Brief 4-question alcohol screen: Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty about use, Eye-opener.

DAST-10

A 10-item self-report instrument screening for problems associated with drugs other than alcohol.

ASSIST

WHO-developed tool evaluating risk across alcohol, tobacco, and multiple other substance classes.

SBIRT

Public health model: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for substance misuse.

CIWA-Ar

Validated 10-item scale assessing the presence and severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

COWS

Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale: 11-item objective tool measuring the severity of opioid withdrawal.

ASAM Criteria

Standardized multidimensional guidelines used to place clients into appropriate levels of care.

ASAM Dimensions

Six assessment domains covering withdrawal, biomedical, psychiatric, readiness, relapse, and living context.

Intoxication

Transient, reversible condition of altered physical and psychological function due to substance intake.

Withdrawal

Substance-specific syndrome occurring when blood or tissue concentrations decline after prolonged use.

Tolerance

Need for markedly increased substance amounts to achieve intoxication, or diminished effect with the same dose.

Cross-Tolerance

Resistance to the effects of one substance developed through repeated exposure to a pharmacologically similar drug.

Physical Dependence

Neurobiological adaptation marked by predictable withdrawal symptoms upon stopping drug administration.

Psychological Dependence

Subjective emotional or mental reliance on a substance to maintain a sense of normal well-being.

Craving

Intense, subjective urge or desire to consume a specific psychoactive substance.

Recurrence of Use

Resumption of substance use following a period of managed reduction or voluntary abstinence.

Remission

Clinical state in which an individual previously diagnosed with SUD no longer meets the diagnostic criteria.

Early Remission

SUD criteria are no longer met (craving may persist) for at least 3 months but less than 12 months.

Sustained Remission

SUD criteria are no longer met (craving may persist) for a continuous duration of 12 months or longer.

Polysubstance Use

Simultaneous or sequential consumption of more than one psychoactive substance within a given timeframe.

Cross-Addiction

Shift from one compulsive substance or behavior to a different addictive substance or habit.

Substance-Induced Disorder

Mental, mood, or cognitive syndrome caused directly by substance intoxication, withdrawal, or exposure.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Simultaneous presence of at least one substance use disorder alongside one or more mental health conditions.

Dual Diagnosis

Common clinical term synonymous with the presence of co-occurring mental health and substance disorders.

Potentiation

Pharmacological interaction where one substance enhances or magnifies the primary effect of another drug.

Synergistic Effect

Combined biological effect of two substances exceeding the simple sum of their individual actions.

Half-Life

Duration required for biological systems to eliminate half of the circulating concentration of a drug.

Metabolism

Biochemical transformation of a compound, primarily by hepatic enzymes, preparing it for excretion.

Therapeutic Alliance

Collaborative, trust-based clinical bond formed between practitioner and client toward recovery goals.

Rapport

Initial harmonious, empathetic, and respectful connection establishing mutual comfort and safety.