MH/AODA Functional Screener Instructions
Glossary of Acronyms (PDF, 75 KB)
Module #6: Risk FactorsContents6.1 Self-Injurious Behaviors Check all that apply or have applied. 6.1 Self-Injurious BehaviorsIncludes cutting, burning, pica, polydipsia, head-banging. Does not include suicide attempts.
Check this for applicant who:
Do NOT check this for applicant who:
6.2 Substance UseNOTE: On the MH/AODA FS, substance use does NOT include tobacco or caffeine. Outcomes of Substance Use (Part 1):
Most of the FS uses expected frequency of help needed from others. This substance use question instead asks about the outcomes-the consequences-of substance use. With just a few questions it's quite easy to categorize alcohol use in one of these four categories:
(Most AODA professionals consider any illegal drug use to be inherently risky or harmful because of legal risks. Some argue that occasional use of some illegal drugs can be low risk.) Hazardous or harmful drinking can consider the amount consumed, by these federal guidelines: Recommended Alcohol Limits
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| Number of Standard Drinks |
Under Age 65 |
Over Age 65 | While Pregnant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | Men | Women | ||
| Per Occasion | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Per Week | 14 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
Many people do not recognize that their AOD use creates any risks or problems. That's okay. The question asks for "problems linked to substance use"; some links are objectively evident even if the applicant doesn't see the link. To recognize such links is not to blame, judge, or label people; it is to help people. (The first stage of treatment is forming an empathic relationship and helping the person see the links.) In the meantime, for purposes of this FS, consumer advocacy is better served by screeners indicating apparent AOD problems or risks, regardless of whether the consumer recognizes them. This is not just screener opinion, but is based on evidence and expertise. Evidence can include scientifically proven links, for example, between alcohol and depression, insomnia, accidents, falls, stomachaches (gastritis, esophagitis), liver disease, or problems managing diabetes or seizures or other health conditions. Some problems--in relationships, jobs, or finances-may be less clearly linked to AOD use; see examples below.
NO USE OR LOW RISK USE EVIDENT IN PAST 12 MONTHS
Check this box for person who:
IN PAST 12 MONTHS, SUBSTANCE USE HAS INVOLVED RISK BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES HAVE OCCURRED
Check this box for person who:
IN PAST 12 MONTHS, PERSON HAS EXPERIENCED NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES in legal (including OWI), financial, family, relational, or health domains that are linked to substance use.
Check this box for person who:
Additional Outcomes of Substance Use Questions (Part 2)
The following questions have been added as screening items that will identify additional need for further substance use screening, assessment and treatment referral. The five questions have been adapted for the screen from the extensively researched Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) Short Screener with permission from Chestnut Health Services.
Please ask the person the questions directly and record their answer. If one of their answers seems to be different from than the collateral information available, please ask additional clarifying questions.
The responses to the questions require that a time frame be chosen. The definitions are as follows:
Past Month: Any one single incident or more in the past 30 days
2-12 Months: Any one single incident or more that occurred 60 days
to 12 months ago
1 year or more ago: Any one single incident or more that occurred
12 months or longer ago, even if that incident was 20 years ago.
If there is a response to any question where there is a choice between two or more time frames record the time frame that is the most recent.
These questions are only screening questions to identify a potential issue and do not represent the information needed in a Substance Use and Addiction assessment.
Used Alcohol and Drugs Weekly:
This question is designed to determine a frequency of substance use, not
quantity of weekly use or the seriousness or dangerousness of use.
If the person asks," Does drinking a glass of wine count?" Explain that this is only a frequency question and if they are experiencing no other negative consequences from their usage the question will not by itself forward them to a referral or label them in any way.
Check for applicant who:
DO NOT check this for applicant who:
Spent a lot of time either getting alcohol or drugs, using alcohol
or drugs or feeling the effects of alcohol or drugs (high or sick).
This question is designed to receive a response that demonstrates the
level of preoccupation the person experiences regarding their use of
alcohol and drugs.
Check this for applicant who:
DO NOT check this for applicant who:
Kept using alcohol or drugs even though it was causing social
problems, leading to fights, or getting into trouble with other people.
This question is designed to measure the negative social and physical
aggressive consequences that some people experience when using drugs or
alcohol.
Check this for applicant who:
DO NOT check this for applicant who:
Use of alcohol or drugs caused applicant to give up, reduce or have
problems at important activities at work, school, home or social events.
This question is designed to measure the negative impacts of the person's
major life responsibilities solely related to the use of substances.
Check this for applicant who:
DO NOT check this for applicant who:
Had withdrawal problems for alcohol or drugs like shaking hands,
throwing up, having trouble sitting still or sleeping or used any alcohol
or drugs to stop being sick or avoid withdrawal problems
This question is designed to measure the negative physical effects caused
by using too much of a substance.
Check this for applicant who:
DO NOT check this for applicant who:
If the eligibility results indicate a "Yes" for the GAIN Assessment it is recommended that the applicant receive further AODA assessment by a qualified substance abuse professional.
Substance Use Treatment (not detox)
This means "formal" substance use treatment by professional
"AODA" (alcohol or other drug abuse) counselor(s). It can
include individual or group therapy.
Substance Use Peer Group Support (e.g., aftercare group, AA, NA)
Includes participation in any peer support groups, including on-line
ones. This does not include groups run by professional AODA
counselors.
We know that many people have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect as an adult or in childhood. Trauma and its aftermath are under-recognized realities in many people's lives. Wisconsin's State Trauma Workgroup (2000-2001) suggested more screening to raise awareness and support advocacy efforts.
This question is optional; it can be answered Unknown. It is obviously a sensitive topic, and many people will not want to answer it. Be very clear that they do not have to answer it. The question, "Would you say that you have?" is purposefully equivocal so that it can be answered, "No, I have not experienced abuse" or "No, I would not say," i.e., "No, I will not divulge that information for the functional screen."
Screeners should always preface this question with a statement that the consumer does not have to answer it. You could say something like this:
If "Yes," check all boxes that apply to indicate type of housing instability within the past 12 months:
The current CSP regulations at DHS 63.08 (1) address criteria for admission to a CSP. The rule indicates that admission to a CSP shall be limited to an individual who has chronic mental illness which by history or prognosis requires repeated acute treatment or prolonged periods of institutional care and who exhibits persistent disability or impairment in major areas of community living as evidenced by either:
If the person has a history of dangerousness to self or others preceding the initiation of the consistent and extensive treatment efforts (within three months), then it may be reasonable to assume that without these treatment efforts that the person may have continued to exhibit behavior that posed a danger to self or others. If there is appropriate documentation, then this item is met.
Example 1. Person A has a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Twenty years ago, he believed that his parents were spying on him for the FBI and had a plan to kill his parents, but was arrested before he could carry out the plan. He spent five years in a correctional facility and then moved to Wisconsin. He has not seen his family since then. Three years ago, he began to receive consistent and extensive treatment following a referral from public housing officials who were preparing to evict him due to nonpayment of rent and general lack of cleanliness of his apartment. This history does not satisfy the CSP admission criteria, but he may be appropriate for enrollment in a CCS program.
Example 2. Five years prior to the completion of the functional screen, Person B received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. After going out on a date, he told his date that he would commit suicide if she did not see him again. When he did not hear from her for one week, he did attempt suicide and was held under an emergency detention. Following the hospitalization, he began to receive consistent and extensive treatment from the county. He continues to have significant problems with interpersonal relationships, although he has not attempted or threatened to commit suicide in the past five years. If he has impairments in one or more of the listed areas, then this history is sufficient to indicate that he meets the CSP admission criteria. He may also meet the enrollment criteria for CCS and, if so, then he should have a choice between CSP and CCS.
Applies to individuals for whom a DHS/Division of Quality Assurance nursing home surveyor has issued a 1.67 administrative order to refer the individual to the county for nursing home discharge and alternative living arrangement (or other needed services).
Applies to individuals that are currently receiving COP Level 3 funding for serious and persistent mental illness. This does not apply if the person is receiving COP waiver or regular state COP funding for Level 1 or 2 due to a medical or physical condition. That person should receive a LTC FS.