Substance Use Screenings

a stop light with Why screen, Who screens, Positive screens, Good screens and Screening tools with Screening Tools highlighted

Considerations around tools include:

  • Ethnicity and culture and alternate languages. Tools/questionnaires have been tested with a limited population and have not been tested as it relates to the use of a translator.
  • Age to begin screening. Although it is clear that substance use and mental health disorders can begin before the age of 12, required screening for substance use disorders begins at age 12. The CAGE-AID can be used with persons aged 10 and above.
  • Administration of tool and follow-up protocols. Providers must use a formal screening tool and define a protocol or procedure around its use, including the protocol for a positive screen.