Yes — identifying at-risk patients early is key to prevention before substance use escalates into a disorder. Clinicians and behavioral health professionals often use risk factor screening, clinical judgment, and structured tools to recognize vulnerability.
Here’s a breakdown:
Signs & Risk Factors to Watch For
Personal Risk Factors
- Family history of substance use disorders
- History of trauma, abuse, or neglect
- Co-occurring mental health issues (depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD)
- Impulsivity, sensation-seeking, or poor coping skills
Behavioral Indicators
- Decline in academic/work performance
- Frequent unexplained absences or lateness
- Social withdrawal or sudden changes in peer group
- Risky behaviors (reckless driving, unsafe sex, aggression)
Medical: (CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST) & Social Context
- Chronic pain or frequent medical complaints (risk for opioid misuse)
- Peer or family pressure to use alcohol/drugs
- Financial or housing instability
- Legal issues or prior disciplinary actions
Screening Tools Commonly Used
- CRAFFT (for adolescents)
- AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
- DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test)
- ASSIST (WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test)
- SBIRT framework: Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment
Early Intervention Strategies
- Provide brief motivational interviewing to raise awareness.
- Encourage healthy coping skills (mindfulness, stress management, peer support).
- Strengthen protective factors: family engagement, community support, structured activities.
- Offer referrals to counseling or behavioral health services if needed.
Bottom line: At-risk patients can often be identified by a mix of clinical screening tools, psychosocial risk factors, and behavioral warning signs. Intervening early with education, support, and referral significantly reduces the chances of escalation into full-blown substance use disorder.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 