ASSIST-linked brief intervention

This SBI tool consists of two parts, a screening and an intervention part, in which screening results (risk level and related health risks) are fed back to the participant. The ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) is a brief and easy-to-apply interviewer-administered instrument developed by the WHO in multi-country studies for the identification of problematic substance use and as a starting point for a brief intervention to reduce substance use in primary care [35]. The screening tool is recommended for all cultures, is widely used and has a good to excellent reliability [36]. With eight questions on nine groups of substances, a substance involvement score and risk level for each substance (range 0–44) is assessed. In the original version, khat is not included within the predefined categories of substances and falls under “other substances”. The ASSIST-BI is a standardized brief intervention with a duration of approximately 15 minutes that builds upon substance involvement scores derived from the ASSIST interview (WHO, 2010). The intervention follows the FRAMES model, containing the six elements (feedback, responsibility, advice, menu of options, empathy, and self-efficacy) that are considered effective in reducing substance use [37], and incorporates techniques derived from motivational interviewing [38]. Additionally, a self-help booklet that transports simple information and advice by brief texts and illustrative drawings is given to the client as part of the ASSIST-linked BI. The effectiveness of the ASSIST-BI in reducing substance use has been demonstrated in a large multi-country study [35]. This SBI method has been developed to be used in primary healthcare settings all over the world and is recommended by WHO and UNODC to be applied around the globe for all substances of abuse; numerous language versions are provided on the WHO webpage.