The RAFFT as a screening tool for adolescent substance use disorders.
The objective of this study was to measure the sensitivity and specificity of the RAFFT, a screening instrument for problematic adolescent substance use. Two hundred and twenty-six adolescent patients, aged 13 to 18, who were referred to an emergency room or an ambulatory evaluation clinic were included. Patients answered the five questions of the RAFFT before a comprehensive psychiatric assessment was completed. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV. The best results were obtained with two positive answers on the RAFFT: a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69% in the screening for substance abuse or dependence. The RAFFT performed well in this highly selected patient population.
Pittsburgh Assessment and Brief Intervention Service, St. Francis Medical Center, PA 15228, USA.
L
L
Bastiaens
G
G
Francis
K
K
Lewis
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*