SASSI Training

The SASSI 3 substance abuse screening inventory provides accurate, simple, and effective screening for substance dependence. It is the number one screening and assessment tool used worldwide.

Profile Validity

SASSI-3 has a 93% rate of accuracy in identifying individuals with substance dependence disorders.

Substance dependence, including alcohol affects all age groups young and old alike. If allowed to progress, substance - related disorders ultimately affect all aspects of a person's life causing emotional, medical, family, school and legal problems. The earlier we can intervene, or at least help individuals acknowledge substance abuse, the greater are the chances for full recovery. The task of identifying people with substance - related disorders is complicated and challenging. Many individuals are unable or unwilling to acknowledge their misuse of alcohol and drugs, and many human service workers simply do not have adequate resources or time to conduct comprehensive assessments.

The SASSI-3 is a psychological assessment tool designed to screen individuals for the presences of a substance abuse disorder. The SASSI is recognised worldwide as the No.1 screening instrument for the identification of such problems. It is currently used by hospitals, prisons, correctional centres, courts, schools and Employee Assistance Programs. It is used by a number of Correctional Facilities in Australia and is used as part of the assessment process for the Australian Navy and Air Force. More than a million clients world-wide take the SASSI each year.
Through the use of subtle questions, the SASSI is able to identify people who consciously or unconsciously do not reveal their substance misuse. A client can complete the SASSI questionnaire in less than fifteen minutes; a staff person can score it and use the decision rules in less than five. It can be administered in a group setting or individually. With an overall accuracy rate of 94%, the SASSI has objective scoring that makes it possible to quickly identify individuals who have a high probability of being substance dependent. Interpretations of SASSI profiles also point to suggestions and possibilities that may be useful in understanding clients, helping them self-actualise and help them plan their own treatment options.

Training Course

Day 1

This training is intended for absolute beginners - in other words for people who have no prior knowledge or, experience with the SASSI. It will also include a series of short talks on the nature and symptoms of chemical dependency. The training will equip trainees with the skills necessary to administer the test to clients and to score its results. It will also enable trainees to draw up a simple profile of the client based on an interpretation of the individual SASSI scales.

At the end Day 1 trainees will be able to administer the test to adults or adolescents. Score the results. Plot the results on a profile sheet. Use the SASSI to distinguish between dependent and non-dependent substance misusers. Provide a basic analysis of characteristics and background issues associated with substance misuse. Use the basic analysis to inform choice of treatment options/triage.

Day 2

Will concentrate on practice, to study all the examples given in the SASSI manual and to build upon the subtleties that experience of using SASSI will give practitioners in identifying abuse vs. addiction. Day 2 will focus on equipping trainers with the skills to generate a more in-depth analysis of profiles and most importantly to give clients feedback on their profiles in a way which will positively facilitate the Therapeutic Process.

At the end of the training, trainees will be able to provide in-depth analysis of client’s characteristics. Synthesise these to generate an integrated profile of clients' substance use and associated issues. Test the hypothetical profile against client's own accounts in a non-threatening and co-operative way. Feed back information derived from the SASSI profile so as to motivate the client to want to participate in therapy. Use the profile to inform clients of treatment choices. Use information from the SASSI to support recommendations in reports for use in the judicial system.

Day 2 will also concentrate on practice, to study all the examples given in the SASSI manual and to build upon the subtleties that experience of using SASSI will give practitioners in identifying abuse vs addiction. Day 2 will focus on equipping trainers with the skills to generate a more in-depth analysis of profiles and most importantly to give clients feedback on their profiles in a way which will positively facilitate the Therapeutic Process.