TAPS-2 Substance Use Screener

Name of the Test: Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use Tool (TAPS-2)

Creators: Developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Purpose: The TAPS-2 is a comprehensive, self-administered screening tool designed to identify the presence and severity of problematic substance use, building on the initial TAPS-1 screener.

What it Tests: The TAPS-2 consists of more detailed questions that follow up on the initial TAPS-1 screener. It provides a deeper assessment of substance use behaviors, consequences, and the severity of use across four categories: tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, and other drugs. The questions include:

Detailed frequency and quantity of substance use
Consequences of substance use on daily life
Symptoms of substance use disorders
Attempts to cut down or control substance use

Scoring: Each item is scored based on the detailed responses about substance use behavior and consequences. The scoring helps categorize the severity of substance use into levels such as no problem, mild, moderate, or severe, guiding the need for further intervention or treatment.

Target Population: The TAPS-2 is intended for use in adults, particularly those in primary care and substance use treatment settings. It is designed to provide a thorough assessment following an initial positive screen from TAPS-1.

Mental Health Screening Application: We offer this test in our mental health screening application that contains a collection of commonly used screening tests for the convenience of patients and practitioners.