Substance abuse frequently accompanies and complicates serious traumatic
brain injury (TBI). An important prerequisite to providing assistance to
TBI patients is the ability to identify substance abuse accurately. The
authors prospectively evaluated 10 consecutive admissions to a TBI program
using four substance abuse screening tools: the CAGE questions, the Brief
Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (BMAST), the Substance Abuse Subtle
Screening Inventory, and the Addiction Severity Index. The CAGE questions
and the BMAST were found to be easy to administer and very sensitive as
well as specific for substance abuse in this population. The authors
conclude that all patients with traumatic brain injuries should be screened
for substance abuse by using either the CAGE questions or the BMAST.Abstract Teaser