CRAFFT Screening Test

The CRAFFT Screening Test is a behavioral health screening tool designed for use with children and adolescents under the age of 21. It is intended to identify individuals who may have problematic use of alcohol or other drugs. The name CRAFFT is an acronym of the first letters of key words in the six screening questions.

History

The CRAFFT Screening Test was developed by the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) at Boston Children's Hospital. It was first introduced in 1999 and has since been widely adopted in various healthcare settings.

Methodology

The CRAFFT Screening Test consists of six questions that are designed to be self-administered by the patient. The questions are related to the use of alcohol or drugs during the past 12 months. Each "yes" response scores one point, and a total score of two or more is considered positive for a high risk of substance-related problems and disorders.

Effectiveness

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the CRAFFT Screening Test in identifying adolescents at risk for substance use disorders. It has been found to have good sensitivity and specificity for detecting substance use disorders in adolescents.

Limitations

While the CRAFFT Screening Test is a valuable tool for screening adolescents for substance use disorders, it is not a diagnostic tool. A positive screen should be followed by a more comprehensive assessment to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the problem.

See also

• Substance use disorder
• Screening (medicine)
• Adolescent medicine