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Screening and Assessments for Unhealthy Alcohol Use and Co-Occurring Disorders

Sarah Pedersen, PhD
Krithika Prakash, PhD
Ismene L. Petrakis, M.D.
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Description

This workshop focuses on the use of validated screening tools such as AUDIT, CAGE, RAPS, and SBIRT to identify unhealthy alcohol use. It also introduces comprehensive assessment techniques to evaluate severity and related factors. Participants learn to recognize co-occurring psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The module emphasizes ethical practice, including cultural and gender competence, and incorporates guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on screening and behavioral counseling interventions.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Participants will be able to identify and compare at least three validated alcohol screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, CAGE, RAPS, SBIRT) and describe their appropriate use in clinical settings.

  • Participants will demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment of alcohol use, including identifying at least two co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

  • Participants will apply ethical principles and culturally responsive approaches by outlining at least two strategies that align with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for screening and intervention.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively screen and assess unhealthy alcohol use by employing evidence-based tools and comprehensive evaluation methods.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Sarah Pedersen, PhD
Dr. Sarah L. Pedersen, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Co-Director of the Youth and Family Research Program, and Director of the Research Equity and Community Health Collaborative. A licensed clinical psychologist, her research examines risk factors for alcohol use disorders, health inequities, discrimination, ADHD, and substance use across development. Dr. Pedersen has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and is nationally recognized for her leadership in alcohol research, mentorship, and advancing equity in behavioral health science.
Krithika Prakash, PhD
Dr. Krithika Prakash, PhD, is an NIAAA T32 Postdoctoral Scholar in the Youth and Family Research Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on the long-term impact of trauma, racial discrimination, and related stressors on mental health and alcohol use, with a particular emphasis on underserved and minoritized populations. Dr. Prakash has published and presented internationally on traumatic stress, PTSD, substance use disorders, and advanced quantitative methods. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Michigan University and her predoctoral internship at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Ismene L. Petrakis, M.D.
Dr. Ismene L. Petrakis, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, Chief of Psychiatry for the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and Deputy Chair for Veterans Affairs in Yale’s Department of Psychiatry. An internationally recognized leader in addiction psychiatry, her work has focused on alcohol use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions, particularly among veterans. Dr. Petrakis has led numerous clinical trials, authored hundreds of scientific publications, and has received multiple national honors, including the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry’s Outstanding Achievement and Service Award.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Research Society on Alcohol