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The RAFFT as a Screening Tool for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Author(s) -
Bastiaens Leo,
Francis Gerard,
Lewis Karen
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490050172182
Subject(s) - substance use , psychology , psychiatry , clinical psychology , medicine
The objective of this study was to measure the sensitivity and specificity of the RAFFT, a screening instrument for problematic adolescent substance use. Two hundred and twenty‐six adolescent patients, aged 13 to 18, who were referred to an emergency room or an ambulatory evaluation clinic were included. Patients answered the five questions of the RAFFT before a comprehensive psychiatric assessment was completed. Diagnoses were made according to DSM‐IV. The best results were obtained with two positive answers on the RAFFT: a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69% in the screening for substance abuse or dependence. The RAFFT performed well in this highly selected patient population.