The SASSi
(Subtle Substance Abuse Instrument) 
Gulf Coast Pain Management, Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. is certified by the SASSi Institute.

Accurate Effective Efficient Validated Simple

If you have been advised to undergo testing for drug and/or alcohol abuse or dependence, Gulf Coast Pain Management offers screening with the SASSi (subtle substance abuse screen), with a 94% validity.
To schedule testing by a certified SASSI practitioner, email info@gulfcoastpain.com.
 
Pain management does not just incorporate prescribing medications to someone in pain, effective pain management includes identifying substance use disorders in clients who may or may not be able or willing to acknowledge those behaviors. Effective pain management includes a multidisciplinary approach to managing a patient’s pain.

For example:
A patient who suffers from severe depression will not respond as effectively to medical management or interventional pain procedures if their depression is not addressed.

It is important to look at a pain patient as a whole and address each aspect of their pain, including the mental and psychological aspects of their pain.

For that reason, each new patient who is being evaluated for medical management of their pain, is required to undergo psychological testing via the SASSi (Subtle Substance Abuse Instrument) 

Gulf Coast Pain Management has identified the SASSi  as an instrument, which identifies a client’s substance, used disorder accurately, objectively, and simply. In the adult population, it has a 93% accuracy rate. 

Sometimes it is an easy task, identifying substance use disorders in clients who tell you they indulge too much and suffer many consequences. Other times, most of the time, the situation is more challenging, the indicators more subtle. Many clients who suffer from substance use problems may be unable or unwilling to acknowledge those behaviors.

With the SASSi  pain management physicians can often identify a problem even when a client consciously or unconsciously hides it, in order to begin developing an effective treatment plan. 

Adults and adolescents can complete the questionnaire in five to fifteen minutes. The SASSI certified practitioner might ask a few more questions related to the way the patient answers the questions on the written test. The test is then scored, providing an accurate screen, identifying any areas of concern in regards to substance abuse. Not only does the SASSi  objectively tell the physician if the patient has a high probability of having a substance use disorder, the scales can provide information regarding how much clients acknowledge their use, their pattern of use, insight and awareness of personal problems, level of defensiveness, and likelihood of ongoing problems with the legal system. This information can be helpful in treatment planning. 

Gulf Coast Pain Management, Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. is certified by the SASSi Institute.