Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)
Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”
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About Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)
The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was initially designed as part of the WHO’s effort to combat substance-related disorders worldwide. Its development was informed by the increasing demand for a tool that could assess not only alcohol and tobacco use but also the consumption of other substances such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and sedatives.
The tool serves as a multi-dimensional assessment, allowing healthcare providers to identify both current and lifetime substance use patterns and to offer tailored interventions based on the individual’s risk profile. The ASSIST is particularly useful in primary care, mental health services, and addiction treatment centers, providing a practical method for detecting substance involvement at an early stage.
Purpose of the Tool
The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify substance use and related health risks. The tool helps in assessing the involvement of individuals in alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use. Its primary goal is to screen for problematic use, risky consumption behaviors, and the likelihood of developing dependence across multiple substances. By using ASSIST, healthcare professionals can effectively target early intervention strategies and treatment planning for substance-related disorders.
Background
Substance misuse is a significant global health issue, and early detection plays a vital role in minimizing harm and preventing dependency. The ASSIST was created in response to the need for a comprehensive screening tool that could evaluate a wide range of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, in both primary care and clinical settings. Developed by an international team of researchers and endorsed by WHO, the ASSIST provides a reliable method for evaluating the use of psychoactive substances and the associated risks of harm.
Description
The ASSIST consists of 8 questions that evaluate the individual’s substance use over their lifetime and the past three months. The substances assessed include:
- Tobacco products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Amphetamine-type stimulants
- Inhalants
- Sedatives or sleeping pills
- Hallucinogens
- Opioids
Each substance category is scored based on the frequency of use, the impact on daily life, and the degree of dependence. The answers provide a risk score for each substance, ranging from low risk to moderate risk and high risk. These scores guide professionals in deciding on the appropriate course of action, such as providing brief interventions, counseling, or referring individuals to specialized treatment services.
Psychometric Properties
The ASSIST has undergone extensive testing to ensure its reliability and validity across different cultures and populations. Studies have shown that the tool has excellent psychometric properties, with high internal consistency and strong predictive value for identifying substance use problems. Additionally, the ASSIST has been validated for use in multiple languages and cultural contexts, making it a valuable tool in both low- and high-resource settings.
The ASSIST has also been found to have strong sensitivity and specificity, particularly for identifying substance dependence and risky substance use. As a result, the tool is frequently used in clinical trials and public health studies as a reliable measure of substance involvement.
Age Group
The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is suitable for adults and adolescents aged 18 years and older. It can be administered to individuals across diverse demographics, including those in general healthcare settings, mental health services, or addiction treatment programs.
References
Humeniuk, R., Henry-Edwards, S., Ali, R., Poznyak, V., Monteiro, M. G., & World Health Organization. (2010). The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST): manual for use in primary care.
Humeniuk, R., Henry-Edwards, S., Ali, R., Poznyak, V., Monteiro, M. G., & World Health Organization. (2010). The ASSIST-linked brief intervention for hazardous and harmful substance use: a manual for use in primary care.
Newcombe, D. A., Humeniuk, R. E., & Ali, R. (2005). Validation of the world health organization alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST): report of results from the Australian site. Drug and alcohol review, 24(3), 217-226.
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Reference File: Addiction-A24
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