Using the alcohol, smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to determine substance abuse prevalence in the RI trauma population.
BACKGROUND
Level I trauma centers are required to provide screening and brief interventions for alcohol abuse. The World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is a validated screening measure for all substances of abuse. This study is the first to use the ASSIST to screen a trauma population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional screening study using the ASSIST was conducted which included all patients admitted to the trauma service at Rhode Island Hospital during July and August 2012 who met inclusion criteria.


RESULTS
The ASSIST categorized 25% of participants as needing a brief intervention for alcohol and an additional 6.3% as needing more intensive treatment. At least a brief intervention was indicated for at least one other substance besides alcohol in 37% of participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of the ASSIST to identify misuse of multiple substances makes it a good candidate for the screening measure used by trauma centers.
MS4 at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Ralph
R
Rogers
Assistant Professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Janette
J
Baird
Student at Brown University.
Jun Kit
JK
He
Associate Professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Charles
C
Adams
Associate Professor at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Michael
M
Mello
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012237:Rhode Island; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications
ASSIST; substance abuse; trauma