Screening Tools
Substance Abuse Screenings in Tennessee (SBIRT-TN) Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment: SBIRT is a substance abuse screening and referral to treatment initiative. It is patient-centered and offers education and early intervention to identify and address substance misuse in primary care settings. Patients are asked about their substance use confidentially.
- Instrument
- Population(s)
- Description
Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)
Adults, Adolescents
An 8-item screening tool developed for the World Health Organization (WHO) by an international group of substance abuse researchers to detect and manage substance use and related problems in primary and general medical care settings. Includes a patient feedback report card. Available in several languages.
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Adults, Adolescents
A 10-item screening tool developed by WHO to identify persons whose alcohol consumption has become hazardous or harmful to their health. Available in English-, Spanish-, and Slovenian-language versions.
AUDIT-C
Adults
The first 3 questions of AUDIT (those that focus on alcohol consumption).
Brief Alcohol Screening Instrument for Medical Care (BASIC)
Adults
This very brief questionnaire (6 items) screens for alcohol use disorders and for at-risk drinking. Self-administered questionnaire.
CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eyeopener)
Adults (people older than age 16)
A 4-item, nonconfrontational questionnaire for detecting alcohol problems. Questions are usually phrased as “have you ever” but may also focus on present alcohol problems.
CRAFFT (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family or Friends, Trouble)
Adolescents
A 6-item screening instrument. Test covers alcohol and drugs and situations that are relevant to adolescents.
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
Adults
A 20- and 28-item adaptation of the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) to detect consequences related to drug abuse without being specific about the drug, thus alleviating the necessity of using different instruments specific to each drug.
DAST-A
Adolescents
A 28-item DAST for adolescents
Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence
Adults
A 6-item test evaluating cigarette consumption, the compulsion to use, and dependence. Screens for nicotine dependence. Severity rating can be used for treatment planning.
Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
Adults, Adolescents, Seniors
A 25-item instrument providing a general measure of lifetime alcohol problem severity that can be used for choosing treatment intensity and guiding inquiry into alcohol-related problems. A 13-item version (Short MAST) and geriatric version (MAST-G) are available.
NIDA Drug Use Screening Tool
Adults
A 1- to 7-question screening tool adapted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse from the WHO’s ASSIST.
TWEAK (Tolerance, Worried, Eye-openers, Amnesia, [K] Cut down)
Adults, Pregnant women
A 5-item scale to screen for risky drinking.
Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions (IRETA) SBIRT Toolkit.
University of Washington Substance Use Screening & Assessments Instrument Database
NASHIA’s OBISSS (Online Brain Injury Screening and Support System)
Ohio State University TBI Identification Method – a screening tool for Brain Injury
Crisis Intervention Tools
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or you can call or text 988 to chat with someone
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then Press 1; or text 838255
NAMI Blog: How to Help Someone in Crisis
Warning Signs and Symptoms
211 Helpline | Get Connected. Get Help. 211 Helpline is a 24/7 365-day information & referral help line that provides individuals in need with help in times of crisis and beyond.
SAMHSA National Helpline: Confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. 1-800-662-4357
Tennessee REDLINE: 24/7/365 resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text 800-889-9789 for confidential referrals.
TN Statewide Crisis Phone Line: 24 hours/365 days; a free resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis; provides support, guidance and appropriate community supports. (855-274-7471)
National Websites
Top Seven Tips for Telehealth (for the healthcare provider)
Never Use Alone – A substance use harm reduction method. Provides a person to be on the phone with someone who is using for safety.
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
FrameWorks: Talking About Health Disparities in Rural Context
American Psychological Association (APA) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Language Guide
State Websites
County Data Packages, TN Department of Health – Data Packages include the most current information on county demographics, morbidity and mortality rates, key social drivers of health, and more.
Health Disparities in Tennessee 2024 – Report
Tennessee Council on Children and Youth 2024 County Profiles of Child Well-Being in Tennessee
Rural Health Association of Tennessee
Rural Health Information Hub search for brain injury
Insurance Enrollment Assistance
Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program (TSLRP) provides educational loan repayment to qualified primary care practitioners in exchange for an initial 2-year service obligation to practice full-time or part-time at an ambulatory public, non-profit or private non-profit primary care site located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Tennessee Charitable Care Network
Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps – a national non-profit organization that provides free healthcare services to people in need. Telehealth, Mobile and Pop-Up Clinics Schedule
TN Department of Health, Federal Shortage Areas for Healthcare, Dental, Mental Health
TN Department of Health, Office of Health Disparities Elimination
GetCoveredTenn: ACA, TennCare & Healthcare Marketplace in Tennessee
Infographics
NIHCM Addressing Barriers to Care
What is Rural Health? Infographic
Trainings
Rural Health Association of Tennessee webinars by topic: Age and Ability, LGBTQ+ Communities, Body Size and Weight, Substance Use Disorder, Race and Ethnicity, Domestic Violence Survivors. See Upcoming Events on right hand side of this page.
Rural Health Association of Tennessee Community Health Worker Training contains learning modules designed to prepare individuals to begin a career as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and/or gain new knowledge and skills in their existing role.
Support Groups
Tennessee Brain Injury Virtual Support Group Zoom meetings – held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. Phone in 309-205-3320. Meeting ID: 999 1559 1619, Passcode: 257220