The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
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Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse · Sep 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialDesign of NIDA CTN Protocol 0047: screening, motivational assessment, referral, and treatment in emergency departments (SMART-ED).
Medical settings such as emergency departments (EDs) present an opportunity to identify and provide services for individuals with substance use problems who might otherwise never receive any form of assessment, referral, or intervention. Although screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment models have been extensively studied and are considered effective for individuals with alcohol problems presenting in EDs and other medical settings, the efficacy of such interventions has not been established for drug users presenting in EDs. ⋯ Optimal trial design is critical to determining how best to integrate substance abuse interventions into medical care.