RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A two-item conjoint screen for alcohol and other drug problems. JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice JO J Am Board Fam Med FD American Board of Family Medicine SP 95 OP 106 VO 14 IS 2 A1 R L Brown A1 T Leonard A1 L A Saunders A1 O Papasouliotis YR 2001 UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/14/2/95.abstract AB BACKGROUND Although nonmedical use of illicit and prescription drugs is not uncommon among American adults, the currently recommended screens for substance use disorders focus only on alcohol. This study reports on the criterion validity of a two-item conjoint screen (TICS) for alcohol and other drug abuse or dependence for a split sample of primary care patients.METHODS Two random samples of primary care patients aged 18 to 59 years responded to several screening items that emanated from a focus group process. The DSM-III-R criteria for substance use disorders, as codified by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Substance Abuse Module, served as the criterion standard.RESULTS At least one positive response to the TICS (In the last year, have you ever drunk or used drugs more than you meant to? and Have you felt you wanted or needed to cut down on your drinking or drug use in the last year?) detected current substance use disorders with nearly 80% sensitivity and specificity. The TICS was particularly sensitive to polysubstance use disorders. Respondents who gave 0, 1, and 2 positive responses had a 7.3%, 36.5%, and 72.4% chance of a current substance use disorder, respectively; likelihood ratios were 0.27, 1.93, and 8.77. The results were consistent across split samples of 434 and 702 participants.CONCLUSIONS Current alcohol or other drug problems can be detected in nearly 80% of young and middle-aged patients by asking two questions that are easily integrated into a clinical interview.