Practice Tools

🎥 Video · 12 min Introduction to IDD/A & Substance Use Overview of how IDD/A and SUD intersect, why it's often missed, and what professionals need to know. IDD…

📝 Worksheet · SAMHSA Risk & Protective Factor Assessment Identify and document risk and protective factors for individuals you support. Download Resource 📝 Te…

T Case · Alcohol & Social Pressure Tim, 24 — Mild IDD/A Drinking to fit in at parties escalates to solo drinking and missed job training. Individual SUD "I drin…

🎭 Role Play Saying "No" to a Substance Offer Staff acts as a peer offering a cigarette. Practice refusal phrases. Setup: Staff member offers a cigarette. Clien…

Select the best answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you're correct.

🎓 Training · SAMHSA SBIRT Training & Resources Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment — implementation guides and training. Professional 🎓 Train…

This is a simplified, client-friendly version of the DSM-5 SUD criteria, designed for direct conversation with individuals who have IDD/A. Language is concrete …

Ask: "Do you think using is a little problem, a medium problem, or a big problem for you?"

"Sometimes, using something too much — like alcohol, pills, or drugs — can cause problems. Let's talk about it. If 2 or more of these things happen over a year,…

Answered Yes Problem Level What It Means 2–3 criteria Mild Starting to have a few problems; may be able to stop or cut back with help and support. 4–5 criteria …

Front-line providers (DSPs, vocational specialists, residential providers) are not in a position to conduct formal screening or assessment. However, educating a…

A client may have SUD if they repeatedly use alcohol, drugs, or medications in ways that cause problems in daily life, health, or safety over at least 12 months…

The DSM-5 breaks SUD into three levels based on how many signs (out of 11) are present. Here is what each level may look like in someone with IDD/A and how staf…