Quick Screen to Detect Current and Future Substance Use Disorder in Female Adolescents

Prevention of substance use disorder (SUD) is impeded by the large number, complexity and idiosyncratic configuration of etiological factors. Effective prevention of SUD is feasible however when intervention resources are prioritized to individuals who are objectively determined as high risk and tailored to their specific characteristics and circumstances.

This study had the aim of developing a rapid accurate screening instrument for determining current presence of and future risk for SUD.

The sample consisted of 182 girls recruited when they were 10-12 years of age and tracked to 22 years of age. From a large item pool the Drug Use Screening Inventory Quick Screen for Females (DQS-F) was derived consisting of the Substance Involvement Index and the Problem Severity Index.

The DQS for Females (DQS-F) has high sensitivity for identifying girls who currently qualify for SUD diagnosis. Furthermore, accuracy of predicting future SUD with the DQS-F is in the good range at age 16 and in the very good range at age 19.

Requiring only three minutes for administration on the Web the DQS-F is an efficient method for identifying girls requiring thorough assessment prior to implementing individualized intervention.