Clinical Tools & Resources

Looking to help your patients manage their alcohol consumption?

The Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral, Screening and Assessment Protocol provides a list of curated evidence-informed resources on alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment that will help your patients make informed choices about their drinking to reduce the short and long-term health risks. Use this tool as a foundation for patient education about low-risk drinking guidelines and informed decisions.

Are you looking for a resource to initiate or maintain opioid agonist therapy (e.g., Suboxone®)?

The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) created a reference that primary care providers can use when screening, diagnosing, and implementing opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in their practice. Refer to this reference if you need support around OAT prescribing for your patients, using the talking points included throughout the tool to support non-judgmental and empathetic conversations.

Looking for non-medical cannabis references you can share with your patients that outlines the harms and benefits of cannabis?

The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) resource around non-medical cannabis use supports primary care providers in the discussion of cannabis benefits and harms, as well as management of side effects. Consider this resource when you are discussing non-medical cannabis use with your patient.

Are you looking for a tool designed specifically for adolescents’ substance use?

The Boston Children's Hospital created the CRAFFT Screening Tool to be taken by the patient or administered by a clinician to screen for substance use in adolescents (aged 12-21). Consider this tool as foundational to your toolkit.

Want a comprehensive reference for management of alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD) or opioid prescribing?

The Women's College Hospital (WCH) supported the creation of this reference to support clinicians on setting up and implementing care for addiction related disorders. This document includes guidance and recommendations around topics such as common patient questions, assessment tools, and medication prescribing. Refer to this Pocket Reference for AUD, OUD, and opioid prescribing.

Has your patient screened positive for alcohol use?

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) contains screening questions, instructions on scoring and interpreting the score and intervention messaging you can use. Plan your next patient visit by sharing this tool in advance and learning how to interpret their results.

Are you in need of a screening tool for patient recreational drug use?

The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a screening tool that can be used in adults to determine the impact of drugs on a patient’s health and suggests possible actions to take. Consider using this screening tool if you are looking for a questionnaire to use in your practice when caring for patients with a history of recreational drug use.

Should gabapentin be considered when treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) with pharmacotherapy?

This PEER Tool for Practice highlights the evidence with gabapentin treatment in AUD. Consider reading this article when deciding treatment options for AUD.

Looking for guidance to help manage problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorders?

This Quality Standard provides you with the guidance on helping your patient with problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder reduce their consumption or abstain from alcohol. It covers screening, assessment, and treatment options that address people's needs and preferences. This site also offers other helpful resources, such as: a patient guide, a quality standard placemat, tools for getting started, etc.

Questions about Cannabis?

Public Health Ontario has made available a number of resources on the topic of Cannabis. Subjects covered include: Cannabis in pregnancy, harms, monitoring Cannabis, production odours, simultaneous use of alcohol and Cannabis, driving under the influence, Ontario by-laws, and is Cannabis a gateway drug?

Need information and resources on cannabis use for recreational and medical purposes?

The Canadian Medical Association repository of resources provides guidance, tools and resources such as the CMA policy on medical marijuana, guidelines for lower-risk cannabis use and patient information.

Want to help your patients understand and reduce risks when using cannabis?

Available in both poster and a postcard, this information outlines 10 ways that your patient can reduce their risks when using Cannabis.

Looking for information on how to recognize and treat common substance abuse disorders in your patients?

This reference booklet is designed to help you recognize and treat the most common substance use disorders: nicotine, alcohol, and opiods. The booklet provides information on how to screen for each disorder, pharmacoptherapy options, non-pharmacological treatment, withdrawal management, as well as patient and caregiver resources.