The role of substance assessment tools in treatment planning and monitoring: a narrative review

Psychoactive drugs including alcohol and tobacco products can be considered as substances that lead to various negative physical and psychological consequences. On the other hand, socioeconomic deterioration also comes along with harmful substance usage. Substance addiction is a complex condition characterised by a compulsive and harmful pattern of substance use despite the adverse consequences it may comprise, and the risk of developing substance addiction is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and relapse is the recurrence of substance use after a period of abstinence or successful treatment. Hence, healthcare professionals, educational experts, and legal officers are required to get a broader idea regarding the factors associated with substance use. Assessment tools are the most efficient way of identifying the associated factors of substance use, customising specific treatment plans, and monitoring the progress of addiction intervention. By implementing modifications and enhancements to the pre-existing tools, researchers and clinicians able to improve the accuracy of participant responses and findings, leading to a more precise identification of causal links within the context of substance use disorders. The primary focus of this study lies in the comprehensive review of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification test, Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, Alcohol Dependency Scale, Self-administered Alcoholism Screening Test, Drug Abuse Screening Test, Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use Tool, Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, Substance and Choice Scale, Screening to Brief Intervention, Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale, and  Severity of Dependence Scale play crucial roles in identifying substance use disorders, assessing severity, guiding treatment decisions, and facilitating interventions to promote recovery and well-being.