What is substance use screening?

Children and teens often experiment with lots of things, including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

Your child's doctor will ask your child questions to get a better idea of any substances your child may have tried. This is called screening. The answers help the doctor know if there are signs of a problem.

If you don't think that your child or teen has been screened for substance use, you can ask the doctor to do a screening test.

Why is it important?

Finding signs of substance use at an early age is important. Teens are at the highest risk for health issues when using substances. That's because early substance use may:

• Increase the risk that your child keeps using substances and has a substance use disorder later on.
• Affect your child's growth and development, memory, and learning.
• Make car crashes more likely.
• Lead to risky behaviours like having sex without a condom. This can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
• Increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide.
• Make it hard for your child to find their identity, build relationships, and do well in school.

When is this screening done?

Substance use screenings usually start around the time of puberty. But they can be done earlier. Your child may have this screening anytime he or she visits a doctor.

Your child may have this screening anytime they visit a healthcare provider.

If you don't think that your child or teen has been screened for substance use, you can ask the healthcare provider to do a screening test.

How is it done?

The healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's attitude toward substance use. The provider will ask about what substances your child may have tried, what effect those substances have had, and how often your child has used them.

The provider will ask your child questions such as:

• Have you used alcohol, marijuana, or vapes (e-cigarettes)?
• Have you used prescription stimulants or pain medicines?
• Have you sniffed, huffed, or inhaled fumes from things like glues, spray paint, or whipped cream cans?

Starting in the preteen years, most healthcare providers spend part of the visit talking to your child alone. This helps your child start to take charge of his or her own health. It also gives your child a chance to talk about things that can be hard to talk about in front of parents.

Provincial laws differ about what your child can and can't choose to keep private. Your healthcare provider can explain what those things are.

The healthcare provider may also ask questions to screen for other conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety. These conditions can make a child more likely to use substances. So your child's provider will want to treat them.

What happens after the screening?

If the screening raises concerns, the healthcare provider may ask more questions. The provider may also lead a discussion that helps your child weigh the pros and cons of substance use. The provider may make a plan that involves your family to help your child stop using drugs or alcohol.

If the screening doesn't show any substance use, the healthcare provider will encourage the healthy choices your child is making.

If the screening shows signs of substance use disorder or a health problem related to substance use, the healthcare provider may discuss intervention options.