A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians: Concise Desk Reference

The algorithm provided follows a patient with substance use problems who is treated in a primary care setting. The patient flow chart (page 3) will serve as a guide or road map through screening, brief assessment, brief intervention, assessment, referral, specialized treatment, and follow-up care as they are detailed in the TIP.

Since substance use disorders are often chronic conditions that progress slowly over time, primary care clinicians, through their regular, long-term contact with patients, are in an ideal position to screen for alcohol and drug problems and monitor each patient's status.

Studies have found that primary care clinicians can actually help many patients decrease alcohol consumption and its harmful consequences through office-based interventions that take only 10-15 minutes.