Screening Program Reduces Illicit Drug Use

Patients in healthcare settings who receive screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment were able to reduce their illicit drug use by 67.7%, according to a new government study. The dramatic reduction in drug use was seen in hospitals, physician offices and community health clinics.

The screening and intervention program also reduced heavy alcohol use by 38.6%.

The study was conducted by scientists from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in various healthcare settings.

According to the study, the screening program used a variety of techniques to screen patients seeking medical health for signs of substance abuse. If a patient screened positive for a substance abuse problem immediate steps were taken to help deal with the problem before the patient's health and well-being deteriorated.

Quality of Life Improvements

Those who were using illicit drugs and were referred to treatment or specialty treatment, also reported other quality of life improvements:

• 29.3 percent reported feeling generally healthier.
  
• 31.2 percent reported experiencing fewer emotional problems
  
• 15.4 percent reported improved employment status
  
• 64.3 percent reported fewer arrests
  
• 45.8 percent who were homeless reported no longer being homeless

"We see great promise in this approach to identifying those most in need of intervention and treatment for substance abuse problems," said NIDA Director Nora D.Volkow in a news release. "We are committed to learning more. NIDA has awarded over $4.2 million in new grants this year alone for more SBIRT clinical trials in real-life settings."

A copy of the complete report is available online. The study was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Related Information:

• Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz
  
• Drug Abuse Screening Quiz
  
• Domestic Abuse Screening Quiz

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