What is the primary purpose of the SASSI?

The primary purpose of the SASSI, or the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory, is to identify individuals who may have potential substance-related disorders. It is designed to screen for addictive behaviors and assess the likelihood that an individual may have a substance use disorder, even if they are not openly admitting to substance use issues. The SASSI utilizes subtle indicators of addiction and provides clinicians with a structured tool to gather insights into an individual's possible engagement with substances.

While it may contribute to understanding treatment effectiveness or provide some indirect information related to mental health conditions, these are not its primary focus. The instrument is specifically tailored for early detection, making it an essential resource for counselors in assessing the risk and presence of substance-related problems in clients.