Screening tools

Screening tools and standardised measures are commonly used to assess clients who may be at risk of alcohol or other drug use. They can identify motivation, dependence, mental health status, quality of life and client risk.

Some may also assist clinicians to effectively monitor client progress over time (outcomes). Standardised measures should supplement an assessment process, not replace it.

These screening and assessment tools are commonly used:

• Psycheck (PDF 92 KB)
• Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
• DASS 21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales)
• Kessler 10 (K-10) (PDF, 51 KB)
• Severity of Dependence Scale (PDF, 92 KB)
• Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS)
• Substance and Choices Scale (for ages 13-18)
• Mental State Examination
• Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Questionnaire (PDF, 16KB)
• Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) (PDF, 1.5 MB)