In a past blog we shared an interpretation titled “SYM Scale and Environmental Factors” which discussed SASSI-4 profile scores for a Native American couple residing in Canada. 

The profiles in that blog highlight a challenge that professionals face as they seek to help people overcome problems associated with substance misuse. You likely often work with individuals who consume large amounts of psychoactive substances and experience negative consequences but genuinely do not perceive that they have a substance use problem. Helping people gain awareness of such problems is a daily task for professionals. The blog demonstrates the importance of being sensitive to and respecting individuals’ realities as you endeavor to help them grow.

One reason why people may have difficulty perceiving that their substance use has a negative impact on their lives is that the substance brings immediate relief from emotional pain, even though greater pain is the ultimate consequence. Many clients face the not so easy challenge of having to recognize that their ongoing problems are attributable to an important and apparently satisfying behavior. As people confront the need to stop their misuse of psychoactive substances, they must let go of what may be a primary and valued aspect in their lives. What is recognized as a major source of their problems, they may see as the only solution. To help individuals who suffer from substance misuse, it is necessary to understand and respect the way they perceive their usage.

Some people do not recognize the impact that substance misuse has on their lives because they do not see an alternative. This phenomenon is not limited to small, geographically isolated communities like Mary and John’s (see SYM Scale and Environmental Factors). Many people who live in larger towns are members of sub-communities in which substance misuse is the norm, “everybody drinks and drugs, everybody has family fights, everybody has hangovers, everybody has money problems, everybody has legal problems.” As a service provider, there is a responsibility to recognize and deal effectively with the realities that confront individuals. It is disrespectful to expect people to easily reject a central aspect of their social milieu and readily embrace a lifestyle that is completely foreign to them.

Providing clients with feedback on the SASSI can promote a collaborative relationship in which you can join the client in the process of exploring their world and seeking ways in which to enhance the quality of their lives. Consider Mary & John’s profiles; an outstanding scale are the elevated SYM scores. SYM provides a measure of clients’ acknowledgment of being involved in a pattern of heavy usage and associated negative consequences. Since it is composed of items that directly address substance misuse, it is valuable to review the endorsed items with clients and ask them for elaboration. For example, an elevated SYM score may indicate a history of parental substance misuse, early onset of substance misuse, and associated family problems. During the process of providing feedback, it is important to promote discussion to help clients gain a greater understanding of the role of substance use in their lives and to help them increase perspective and insight into the way substance use has affected their lives.

Professionals expect clients to be receptive to the process of change; so too professionals must endeavor to understand the world in which they live. The act of change is an act of courage. As an addiction professional you are privileged to stand witness to courage shown by clients as they open themselves to new ways of seeing and being in the world. Through patience and understanding, you can hopefully be a source of encouragement and support along the way. 

(Please note that The SASSI Institute recommends examining specific items on the FVA, FVOD, SYM, Rx and on the RAP scale, but NOT on the other (subtle) scales – OAT, SAT. DEF, SAM, FAM, and COR)

Please be sure to utilize our free clinical consultation line for assistance interpreting SASSI profiles M-F 1-5 pm EST at 800.726.0526 Option 2.

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