Practicing ASSIST

Substance screening and brief intervention practice

How would you like to practice? Choose an option to begin. You can switch at any time.

Either way, the screen branches and scores itself, so you can focus on the conversation.

Practicing ASSIST

Substance screening and brief intervention practice

Instructions

Role play administering the ASSIST in pairs. One of you is the client, the other the helper. The screen branches and scores itself, so you can focus on the conversation.

In pairs, trade turns as client and helper.

As the client, indicate recent use of 1 to 2 substances so your partner can practice all 8 questions.

The helper works through the screen below. Scores and risk tiers update on their own.

When finished, review the result together, then use Reset and switch roles.

Instructions

Administer the ASSIST one on one with an AI client. Read the opening script, ask the eight questions in your own words, and code each answer on the screening form as the client responds.

The AI plays the client; you are the helper.

Read the opening script, then ask the questions conversationally. The client answers in character.

Decide how to code each answer on the screening form. Scores and risk tiers update on their own.

Use New client for a fresh case, or Reset to clear the form.

AI client

Preparing a client…

Helper opening script · read to the client

“The following questions ask about your experience of using alcohol, tobacco products and other drugs across your lifetime and in the past three months. These substances can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, inhaled or injected (show response card).

Some of the substances listed may be prescribed by a doctor (like amphetamines, sedatives, pain medications). For this interview, we will not record medications that are used as prescribed by your doctor. However, if you have taken such medications for reasons other than prescription, or taken them more frequently, at higher doses than prescribed or in ways in which it wasn’t intended, please let me know.

While we are also interested in knowing about your use of various illicit drugs, please be assured that information on such use will be treated as strictly confidential.”

1 In your life, which of the following substances have you ever used? (non-medical use only) tap all that apply

No substances selected yet. If the client answers “no” to every substance, the screen is finished here.

2 Work through each substance

3 Injection (Question 8)

4 Brief intervention

5 Scoring and next steps

A specific substance involvement score is the sum of Questions 2 through 7. For tobacco, Question 5 is not coded.

Score	Risk level	Indicated response
0–3 (0–10 for alcohol)	Lower risk	Brief education
4–26 (11–26 for alcohol)	Moderate risk	Brief intervention
27+	High risk	Brief intervention, offer options that include treatment

Injection note: Patients who have injected drugs (non-medical use) in the last three months, but no more than once per week or never more than three days in a row, should receive a brief intervention. All other patients who have injected drugs in the last three months should receive a brief intervention that includes options for treatment.

Return to the main room when you finish, or when you are called back.

Result