Which of the following is an example of a standardized assessment instrument for assessing substance abuse?

• A. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
• B. Beck Depression Inventory
• C. Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory 3
• D. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Answer: (C)

A standardized assessment instrument for substance abuse is a formally developed tool that uses uniform administration, scoring, and established norms with evidence of reliability and validity. The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory 3 fits this description because it is specifically designed to screen for substance-use issues, using standardized items and scoring rules so results can be interpreted consistently across different settings and populations. This makes it a practical first step to identify individuals who may need a fuller evaluation for substance use disorders.

In contrast, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale measures general cognitive ability, not substance use specifically. The Beck Depression Inventory assesses depressive symptoms, which can co-occur with substance use but is not a tool for screening substance abuse per se. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory evaluates broad personality traits and psychopathology, not substance abuse screening alone. While these tools may be used with people who have substance problems, they aren’t standardized instruments focused on assessing substance abuse itself.