Alcohol and Other Substance Use
Providers should routinely discuss use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances with patients and provide brief behavioral counseling interventions and referrals to appropriate care.190, 191
The CDC and USPSTF recommend regular screening of adults, including pregnant people, and adolescents for use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances.93, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195
Exhibit 15 lists commonly used tools to screen for unhealthy use of alcohol and other substances. In addition to selecting an appropriate screening tool, providers should be prepared to support patients with a substance use disorder in a person-centered way, regardless of their desire to seek treatment. A person’s alcohol or substance use is not a barrier to receiving the SRH services, including pre-pregnancy care, they desire.
Exhibit 15. Commonly Used Screening Tools for Alcohol and Other Substance Use196, 197, 198, 199, 200
| Screening Tool Name | Substance Type | Age | How Tool Is Administered | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Drugs | Adults | Adolescents | Self-Led | Clinician-Led | |
| Screening to Brief Intervention (S2BI) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Brief Screener for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (BSTAD) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use (TAPS) | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide (NIAAA) | X | X | X | |||
| Opioid Risk Tool – OUD (ORT-OUD) Chart | X | X | X | |||
For discussions on the use of other substances, providers should be aware of the shifting nature of the opioid epidemic and the emergence of polysubstance use.201 Providers can review data published online by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to understand the extent of substance use in a particular area.202 Clinical service sites should be aware of community resources for patients who express a desire to connect with substance use treatment programs.