Brief interventions for substance use with Professor Steve Allsop
We were thrilled to welcome Professor Steve Allsop, Psychologist and international expert in alcohol and other drug policy, prevention and treatment research and practice and professional development, who presented at our National Community of Practice (COP) session on Monday, 24 March 2025.
Professor Allsop, based at the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, brought a wealth of experience in substance use interventions. His extensive work includes advising Defence as part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group and contributing to the Veterans Alcohol Management Clinical Guidelines.
In this session, Professor Allsop provided valuable insights into Brief Interventions for Substance Use, a crucial approach for frontline healthcare providers managing patients struggling with substance-related challenges. The discussion was highly relevant for GPs, pharmacists, and all clinical professionals who engage in patient care and substance misuse management.
Key topics Professor Allsop covered:
Why consider alcohol and other drug-related harm among your patients?
What are the barriers to raising the issue of alcohol and drug use?
Which screening tools are useful in a clinical setting, and what are the options for those at low, moderate, or high risk of harm?
An introduction to the ASSIST screening tool and brief interventions.
Clinical strategies underpinning effective brief interventions.
Highlights from the session:
Understanding risk: Professor Allsop reinforced the importance of identifying low, moderate, and high-risk patients through simple yet effective screening approaches. He emphasized that most people with substance use issues engage with general practice, making early identification and brief interventions a vital tool.
Evidence-based approach: He discussed the growing body of evidence supporting brief interventions, particularly for patients at moderate risk, and offered practical strategies on how to introduce the topic in a non-judgmental, conversational way.
Use of the ASSIST tool: The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was presented as a validated and accessible tool to help clinicians assess risk and tailor their response.
Breaking the stigma: One of the session’s key takeaways was how language, tone, and timing can help reduce patient defensiveness and stigma when discussing alcohol and drug use.
Brief but powerful: Professor Allsop reminded the audience that a brief conversation—just a few minutes—can significantly impact patient outcomes, especially when paired with empathy, support, and clear referral pathways.
This was an invaluable session for healthcare professionals seeking clinical insights and practical tools to enhance their approach to substance use interventions.
Missed the session? Get in touch to access the full webinar.
Health professionals registered with AHPRA can request access to the full webinar recording by getting in touch with our team.
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