Screening and Brief Intervention News Feed from PubMed

The Chinese translations of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in China: a systematic review.

Alcohol Alcohol. 2011 Jul-Aug;46(4):416-23

Authors: Li Q, Babor TF, Hao W, Chen X

Abstract
AIMS: To systematically review the literature on the Chinese translations of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and their cross-cultural applicability in Chinese language populations.
METHODS: We identified peer-reviewed articles published in English (n = 10) and in Chinese (n = 11) from 1980 to September 2009, with key words China, Chinese and AUDIT among PubMed, EBSCO, PsycInfo, FirstSearch electronic databases and two Chinese databases.
RESULTS: Five teams from Beijing, Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong reported their region-specific translation procedures, cultural adaptations, validity (0.93-0.95 in two versions) and reliability (0.63-0.99). These Chinese translations and short versions demonstrated relatively high sensitivity (0.880-0.997) and moderate specificity (0.709-0.934) for hazardous/harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, but low specificity for alcohol dependence among Min-Nan Taiwanese (0.58). The AUDIT and its adaptations were most utilized in workplace- and hospital-settings for screening and brief intervention. However, they were under-utilized in population-based surveys, primary care settings, and among women, adolescents, rural-to-urban migrants, the elderly and minorities. Among 12 studies from mainland China, four included both women and men, and only one in Tibet was published in English.
CONCLUSION: There is a growing amount of psychometric, epidemiologic and treatment research using Chinese translations of the AUDIT, much of it still unavailable in the English-language literature. Given the increase in burden of disease and injury attributable to alcohol use in the Western Pacific region, the use of an internationally comparable instrument (such as the AUDIT) in research with Chinese populations presents a unique opportunity to expand clinical and epidemiologic knowledge about alcohol problem epidemics.

PMID: 21467046 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Transporting clinical research to community settings: designing and conducting a multisite trial of brief strategic family therapy.

Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2010 Dec;5(2):54-61

Authors: Robbins MS, Alonso E, Horigian VE, Bachrach K, Burlew K, Carrión IS, Hodgkins CC, Miller M, Schindler E, VanDeMark N, Henderson C, Szapocznik J

Abstract
This paper describes the development and implementation of a trial of Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), an evidence-based drug intervention for adolescents, in eight community substance abuse treatment programs. Researchers and treatment programs collaborated closely to identify and overcome challenges, many of them related to achieving results that were both scientifically rigorous and applicable to the widest possible variety of adolescent substance abuse treatment programs. To meet these challenges, the collaborative team drew on lessons and practices from efficacy, effectiveness, and implementation research.

PMID: 22002455 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Illicit Drugs Linked to the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) in clients recruited from primary health care settings in four countries.

Addiction. 2011 Nov 30;

Authors: Humeniuk R, Ali R, Babor T, Souza-Formigoni ML, de Lacerda RB, Ling W, McRee B, Newcombe D, Pal H, Poznyak V, Simon S, Vendetti J

Abstract
Aims.  This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief intervention (BI) for illicit drugs (cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and opioids) linked to the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). The ASSIST screens for problem or risky use of 10 psychoactive substances,producing a score for each substance that falls into either a 'low', 'moderate' or 'high' risk category. Design.  Prospective, randomized controlled trial in which participants were either assigned to a 3-month wait-list control condition or received brief motivational counseling lasting an average of 13.8 minutes for the drug receiving the highest ASSIST score. Setting.  Primary health care settings in four countries: Australia, Brazil, India and the United States of America. Participants.  731 males and females scoring within the moderate risk range of the ASSIST for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, or opioids. Measurements.  ASSIST Specific Substance Involvement Scores for cannabis, stimulants or opioids, and, ASSIST Total Illicit Substance Involvement Score at baseline and 3 months post randomization. Findings.  Omnibus analyses indicated that those receiving the BI had significantly reduced scores for all measures, compared with control participants. Country-specific analyses showed that, with the exception of the site in the United States, BI participants had significantly lower ASSIST Total Illicit Substance Involvement scores at follow-up compared with the control participants. The sites in India and Brazil demonstrated a very strong brief intervention effect for Cannabis Scores (p < 0.005 for both sites); as did the sites in Australia (p < 0.005) and Brazil (p < 0.05) for Stimulant Scores, and the Indian site for Opioid Scores (p < 0.01). Conclusions.  The ASSIST-linked brief intervention aimed at reducing illicit substance use and related risks is effective at least in the short-term, and the effect generalises across countries.

PMID: 22126102 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Screening for Addictive Disorders Within a Workers? Compensation Clinic: An Exploratory Study.

Subst Use Misuse. 2011 Nov 8;

Authors: Parhami I, Hyman M, Siani A, Lin S, Collard M, Garcia J, Casaus L, Tsuang J, Fong TW

Abstract
We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the extent of addictive disorders within a workers? compensation (WC) clinic. We also examined the feasibility of substance abuse screening within the same clinic. In 2009, 100 patients were asked to complete the World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO-ASSIST) and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM). According to the WHO-ASSIST, we found that 46% of WC patients required intervention for at least one substance-related disorder (25% tobacco, 23% sedatives, 8% opioids), and according to the COMM, 46% screened positive for prescription opioid misuse. Importantly, the addition of this screening was brief, economical, and well accepted by patients. Further research should analyze the costs and benefits of detection and intervention of substance-related disorders in this setting.

PMID: 22066751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Pediatricians.

Pediatrics. 2011 Oct 31;

Authors:

Abstract
As a component of comprehensive pediatric care, adolescents should receive appropriate guidance regarding substance use during routine clinical care. This statement addresses practitioner challenges posed by the spectrum of pediatric substance use and presents an algorithm-based approach to augment the pediatrician's confidence and abilities related to substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in the primary care setting. Adolescents with addictions should be managed collaboratively (or comanaged) with child and adolescent mental health or addiction specialists. This statement reviews recommended referral guidelines that are based on established patient-treatment-matching criteria and the risk level for substance abuse.

PMID: 22042818 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Trauma healthcare providers' knowledge of alcohol abuse.

J Trauma. 2011 Jun;70(6):1437-43

Authors: Field CA, Cochran G, Foulkrod K, Brown C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Brief alcohol interventions for patients in trauma settings have demonstrated significant reductions in drinking behaviors, injury related risk behaviors, and subsequent arrests for driving while intoxicated. However, although a number of surveys have examined the knowledge and attitudes of trauma center personnel regarding alcohol problems, the knowledge and attitudes toward alcohol misuse, screening, and intervention services among various trauma care personnel within an individual trauma center have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine provider knowledge and attitudes related to screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems in a single Level-I trauma center.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to employees of a Level-I trauma center with a screening and brief intervention program. Surveys were solicited from hospital staff responsible for the care of trauma patients. Topics covered in the survey included alcoholism, brief interventions in trauma centers, and motivational interviewing.
RESULTS: Most trauma care staff members surveyed were white and held BS/BA degrees or Associates' degrees in nursing. The average years of professional practice were 8.6 years. Staff's attitudes regarding those who misuse alcohol was somewhat neutral, showing a weak understanding of the etiology of alcoholism and the effectiveness of brief intervention and referral for treatment. Staff members also struggled to correctly identify the components of brief interventions.
CONCLUSIONS: This limited knowledge and the neutral attitudes regarding alcohol problems may indirectly influence metrics of program success. Trauma care staff will benefit from additional training regarding alcohol problems and brief interventions.

PMID: 21817982 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Six-month follow-up of computerized alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in the emergency department.

Subst Abus. 2011 Jul;32(3):144-52

Authors: Vaca FE, Winn D, Anderson CL, Kim D, Arcila M

Abstract
The goal of this observational study was to measure change in alcohol consumption at 6 months following emergency department computerized alcohol screening brief intervention (CASI) and referral to treatment (ED-SBIRT) with integrated brief negotiated interview (BNI) and computer-generated personal alcohol reduction plans. At-risk patients received a BNI by CASI, including personalized feedback, assessment of readiness to change, reasons for cutting down, goal setting, and a printed personal alcohol reduction plan. Alcohol use was assessed by telephone interview 6 months after CASI. Factors associated with lower alcohol consumption were examined. Of the 385 participants who completed the BNI, were consented, and enrolled, 221 subjects completed the 6-month follow-up interview. Forty-seven percent of the study sample of at-risk patients were no longer drinking over the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)-recommended limits. Reductions were greater for patients with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of 1 to 7. Readiness to change was a good predictor of drinking below the recommended limits. The use of computerized ED-SBIRT with integrated personalized messaging and BNI holds promise as a viable screening and intervention modality for a wide range of emergency department patients.

PMID: 21660874 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]