What Is A CRAFFT Screening Tool?
Substance abuse in adolescents is a severe issue that can lead to long-term health and social consequences. It impacts the teen's physical and emotional health and can affect their relationships, academic performance, and future prospects.
Developed at the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at the Boston Children’s Hospital, The is a practical test to help diagnose potential substance abuse in adolescents. It consists of six questions to help identify the severity of a young person’s substance use.
The acronym CRAFFT stands for:
C – Have you ever ridden in a Car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or had been using alcohol or drugs?
R – Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to Relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
A – Do you ever use alcohol or drugs while you are Alone?
F – Do you ever forget things you did while using alcohol or drugs?
F – Do your family or friends ever tell you that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
T – Have you ever gotten into Trouble while you were using alcohol or drugs?
It is recommended that adolescents who answer “yes” to two or more of the questions above be assessed further by a healthcare professional.
