Substance Use Screenings
Why we Screen
There is a high prevalence of co-occurring disorders. People coming through either ‘door’ of the system (chemical health or mental health) have a higher chance of having both a mental health and substance use disorder. By some estimates, 70% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness.
If caught earlier than later, treatments are more successful; which means lives can be saved and quality of life can improve. This also reduces costs across the whole system.
Screening is faster, cheaper, and less invasive than diagnostic tests.
Substance use and mental illness often begin in adolescence, so screening early is important!