Assessment strategies

1. Assessment strategies

2. Why assess?
(NICE, 2010)
• Early detection is seen as one of the key harm reduction strategies for
substance misuse in the UK.
• Screening for harmful and hazardous alcohol use is important as people
are more likely to be able to change their behaviour if it is identified and
addressed early.
• Also, early detection could prevent or limit serious health or psychological
problems later on.

3. Screening
• Screening is a systematic process of identifying people who are at
increased risk of physical, psychological or social harm due to their
substance use (NICE, 2010).
• Screening can be carried out by anyone in health and social care who is
concerned that someone would benefit from changing their use (NICE 2010).
• Screening should be carried out:
– Using a person centred approach and avoiding stigmatising
– When and if the person is able to consent, i.e. not intoxicated
– When there is a cause of concern or routine screening is advised
– With consideration to including family or carers where appropriate
(NICE, 2010, 2011)

4. How to screen
• Screening can be done formally, through use of tools, or informally, but
simply asking questions.
• Sometimes it is best to simply raise the issue! (NHS Healthier Scotland (2015).
• There is no harm in asking:
– How much do you normally drink?’
and/or
– ‘What sort of drugs do you use?’
• See the resource How to talk about substance use for more on opening a
conversation.

5. References
• NHS Health Scotland (2015) Delivering an ABI: Process, screening tools and guidance notes.
Edinburgh, NHS Health Scotland.
• NICE (2010) Alcohol-use disorders: preventing harmful drinking. National Institute of Clinical
Excellence Public Health Guidline 24.
• NICE (2011) Alcohol Dependence. National Institute of Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline
115.