Great Job This Week You Mentioned The Drug Abuse Screening

Reat Job This Week You Had Mentioned The Drug Abuse Screening Test D

Reat job this week! You had mentioned the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), which I found interesting! I mentioned the DAST-10, which is a condensed version of the DAST, created by Skinner (1982). The DAST-10 has also shown promise as a substance abuse screening test. McCabe et al. (2006) had described that the DAST-10 has shown efficacy as a screening instrument for detecting more than just alcohol use within young Americans.

It is beneficial to know how to administer this assessment properly, so the $75 fee for the module is appropriate. However, I'd like to ask additionally to Dr. Mendelson's question: how many clinicians would be prepared? Would you like multiple clinicians to be trained on this, and if so, does the cost of the training modules increase? Are they one time use?

Paper For Above instruction

The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a widely used instrument for identifying substance abuse problems among individuals seeking treatment or assessment. Originally developed by Skinner in 1982, the DAST has undergone several modifications, including the development of the DAST-10, a concise version containing ten items that efficiently screen for drug misuse. Its efficient design allows clinicians to quickly identify potential substance abuse issues, facilitating prompt interventions and referrals for comprehensive treatment.

The DAST-10 is particularly validated for use among diverse populations, including young adults, where early detection of substance abuse is critical for effective intervention. McCabe et al. (2006) highlighted the efficacy of the DAST-10 in detecting not only alcohol use but also other illegal and prescription drug misuse among American youth. This broad applicability makes the DAST-10 a valuable tool in both clinical and community settings for identifying individuals at risk and supporting early intervention efforts.

Understanding how to administer the DAST-10 properly is essential to maximize its reliability and validity. Proper training ensures that clinicians interpret the responses accurately, especially since self-reported data can be influenced by social desirability bias or misunderstanding of questions. The training modules designed for the DAST-10 typically include guidance on establishing rapport, clarifying questions, and understanding scoring procedures. In some instances, the training fee for such modules is set around $75, which is considered reasonable given the potential benefits of early detection and preventive care.

Furthermore, training multiple clinicians enhances the reach and impact of substance abuse screening programs. Scaling up training programs can allow clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to implement standardized screening practices. However, it raises questions regarding the cost structure—whether the fee increases for additional participants or if multiple clinicians can be trained under a single purchase. Additionally, clarification is needed to understand if the training modules are one-time use or if they require renewal or recertification after a certain period. These considerations are important for program planning and budget allocation, especially in resource-limited settings.

In conclusion, the DAST-10 is a valuable and efficient screening tool for substance abuse that warrants proper administration and clinician training. Investing in training modules at a reasonable cost ensures widespread competence in screening practices. As more clinicians become proficient in administering the DAST-10, early detection and intervention for substance misuse can be substantially improved, ultimately reducing the burden of drug-related problems in society.

References

  • Skinner, H. A. (1982). The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addictive Behaviors, 7(4), 363-371.
  • McCabe, S. E., Cranford, J. A., & Boyd, C. J. (2006). A review of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) and its utility among youth. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 31(2), 167-173.
  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press.
  • Saunders, J. B., et al. (1993). Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption--II. Addiction, 88(6), 791-804.
  • Simons, J., et al. (2004). Screening for substance use disorders: Practical applications of brief screening measures. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(9), 985-1004.
  • Reuben, A., et al. (2015). Screening for substance use disorders in primary care. JAMA, 313(16), 1685-1686.
  • Carpenter, K. M., & Hasin, D. S. (2004). Screening for drug use disorders in clinical settings. Addiction, 99(7), 845-854.
  • Babor, T. F., Chawla, P., & Kharrazi, H. (2007). University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Addiction, 102(7), 1043-1052.
  • Knudsen, H. K., & Abraham, A. J. (2016). Implementation of substance abuse screening: A systematic review of barriers and facilitators. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 42(5), 543-550.
  • Hare, K. E., et al. (2019). Training health professionals in substance use screening: A systematic review. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 14(1), 1-16.