Category: Uncategorized

Winter Weather Challenges: Meeting Your Needs

Dear SASSI Customers,

We hope this message finds you safe and well.  As many of you are also experiencing, our office has been impacted by severe winter weather recently and forecasts show it is likely to continue in the coming weeks. At The SASSI Institute, we understand that adverse weather can disrupt routines and create challenges for everyone.  While the safety of our team remains our top priority, we are committed to maintaining the high level of service you expect from us.  

During inclement weather our staff will continue offering crucial services remotely to ensure that our team remains available to assist you with your needs. Whether it’s technical support, placing an order, or answering your clinical questions, our dedicated staff will be ready to provide the assistance you require, even if severe weather prevents us from being in the office. Unfortunately, hazardous weather conditions may delay our shipping operations, and we kindly ask for your patience regarding shipping of physical order fulfillment during these periods.

Additionally, if you need a remote work administration option, the SASSI questionnaire is available online at https://sassionline.com/ for the Adolescent SASSI-A3, Adult SASSI-4, and Spanish SASSI versions. You and your clients can stay safe from winter weather hazards by completing the questionnaire using a supported web browser on most modern devices, which will then be scored by our automated system and immediately available to view, with a brief narrative report of client screening results.

Why Remote Work Benefits Everyone

Allowing our team to work remotely during challenging weather conditions is not only a testament to our adaptability but also a strategic approach to ensuring continuity. Here are some ways this benefits both our business and yours:

  • Uninterrupted Support: Remote work ensures that our team is accessible to address your needs without compromising their safety.
  • Efficient Communication: The safe alternative to remote work is to just close the business. But by staying connected digitally, we minimize disruptions to our customer service and technical support processes.
  • Safety First: Protecting our employees’ well-being enables them to remain focused and productive on providing you with the best possible service.
  • Sustainability: Remote work reduces unnecessary travel during hazardous conditions, contributing to safer roads for those drivers who must travel, road crews, and first responders.

Thank you for choosing The SASSI Institute. We value your business and look forward to serving you no matter the weather.

Happy New Year from The SASSI Institute!

As we usher in another year, we at The SASSI Institute want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and share our excitement for the opportunities ahead. The start of a new year is not only a time for celebration but also a time to recommit ourselves to our mission of providing valid and reliable tools to support professionals in the substance use addiction field.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, we invite you to join us in making 2025 a year of impact and innovation. Stay connected by following us on our social media channels, attending our training workshops, participating in our free online clinical Q&A sessions, and sharing your insights with us.

Together, we can continue to build a future where every individual struggling with substance use receives the care and support they deserve. Let’s make this year one to remember—for all the right reasons.

Wishing you a prosperous and fulfilling 2025,

The SASSI Institute Team

Navigating Change: A Minimal Price Increase at The SASSI Institute

In the dynamic landscape of addiction screening, assessment and intervention, The SASSI Institute remains dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable tools to professionals across the globe. As we continue to enhance our services and maintain the highest standards, we must occasionally adjust our pricing. Today, we want to discuss a 2025 minimal price increase for our products and services and how it will impact our valued clients.

Why the Increase?

The decision to implement a price increase is never taken lightly. Our commitment to delivering top-notch screening tools is unwavering, and maintaining this level of excellence requires ongoing investment. Here are the primary reasons behind this change:

  1. Continuing Research and Development:
    • Continuous improvement of our screening tools and delivery options to ensure they remain at the cutting edge of addiction science.
    • Investment in new technologies and methodologies to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our screening tools and services.
  2. Operational Costs:
    • Increases in costs for materials, production, and distribution.
    • Investments in better infrastructure to support seamless customer experiences.

We understand that any change in pricing can raise concerns, especially in fields where budgets are often tight. Therefore, we have made every effort to keep this increase minimal and manageable. Please note that as an added consideration we have chosen to forego any increase to our online training platforms. The adjustment to our Paper & Pencil and SASSI Online options resulted in a nominal average increase of 5%.

At The SASSI Institute, our mission is to support you in your vital work of screening, assessing and treating addiction. This minimal price increase is a step toward ensuring that we can continue to innovate, improve, and deliver the highest quality tools and services, as we continue to collaborate with you. We stand behind you in our mutual resolve that Early Intervention Saves Lives. We appreciate your understanding and continued trust in our products. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by addiction.

Change, while sometimes challenging, is often necessary for growth and improvement. The SASSI Institute remains steadfast in our dedication to providing exceptional tools and services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Sincerely,

The SASSI Institute Team

2025 Product Sheet

Across the Pond and Beyond

Did you know that SASSI screening tools are available for use and are obtainable through our international distributors? If you are in, or have friends/colleagues in the UK, Australia, or Greece, please take note of our licensed distributors there for affordable access to SASSI screening tools.

In the UK, the paper & pencil version of the adult SASSI-4 and adolescent SASSI-A3 is available through SASSI Direct Ltd. For ordering information please email sassi@sassidirect.co.uk.

In Australia, the paper & pencil version of the adult SASSI-4 and adolescent SASSI-A3 is available through The Help Now Group. Since purchasing the web-based version of the SASSI through SASSI Online can be challenging for our Australian colleagues due to issues with credit card processing, access and administrations of the web-based version can also be purchased through The Help Now Group. For ordering information please email rodney@thehelpnow.org.

In Greece, a reliable and validated version of the translated adult SASSI-3 in Greek is available through Panagiota Kontoleon. For ordering information please email panagiota@kontoleon.com.gr.

We are pleased that these distributors are working with us to promote screening for those individuals suffering from substance use-related issues and disorders.

Local Encounters with Those Facing Extreme Poverty

A young man asking me to call an ambulance because he was experiencing snakes biting him. The paramedics came and were wonderfully caring and gentle with him.

A man I’ve known for more than a decade who regularly volunteers and gives money to us. He also struggles with a severe mental illness that’s usually managed well with medication. But unfortunately, he’s become homeless and is living out of a van.

Another man struggling to find a safe place for himself and his wife. She’s dealing with some severe disabilities and needs nursing home care, but they’re struggling to find a place that takes their health insurance (we’re working on that). They’ve been together for 30 years.

A Wendy’s employee recognizing me (I stopped in for an iced tea in between meetings) and offering me a free Frosty and saying, “We appreciate what you do for us.” (I often get credit for what our staff, volunteers, and all you supporters deserve).

These all happened within two hours of us opening the day center this morning.

Written by Forrest Gilmore the Executive Director at Beacon, Inc in Bloomington Indiana

Originally posted to Forrest’s Facebook page and shared here with his permission.

The SASSI in Community Corrections

The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) is a valuable tool used in various contexts, including community corrections programs. When used in community corrections settings, the SASSI serves several important purposes:

  1. Screening for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs): One of the primary functions of the SASSI in community corrections is to screen individuals under supervision for potential substance use disorders. It helps probation and parole officers identify clients who may be struggling with substance abuse issues.
  2. Risk Assessment and Management: The SASSI provides valuable information about the level of risk that an individual poses in terms of problems related to their substance use. This information helps community corrections officers make informed decisions about supervision levels and interventions. For clients with co-occurring substance use and criminal justice issues, the SASSI helps community corrections officers manage risk more effectively.
  3. Treatment Planning: For individuals identified as having substance use issues, the SASSI results can inform the development of individualized treatment plans. It can help determine the appropriate type and intensity of substance abuse treatment needed to address the client’s specific needs.
  4. Referrals: If the SASSI identifies a client as having a high likelihood of a substance use disorder, community corrections officers can make referrals to specialized substance abuse treatment programs or other appropriate services.
  5. Resource Allocation: The SASSI results can help allocate limited resources within community corrections programs more effectively. As a result, officers can prioritize clients with higher substance abuse risk for more intensive interventions.
  6. Compliance and Accountability: Incorporating the SASSI screening tool into community corrections programs can enhance client accountability and motivation to get treatment, especially among clients who may be unaware or sincerely deluded about their substance use issues.
  7. Documentation and Reporting: The use of the SASSI screening tool in community corrections ensures that evaluations are conducted in a standardized and systematic manner, which is essential for documentation, reporting, and legal compliance.

It’s crucial to note that the SASSI should be administered by professionals who understand the nuances of substance use screening and the ethical considerations involved. Additionally, confidentiality is an important aspect of using the SASSI in a community corrections context, as clients’ rights and privacy must always be protected.

What is a Substance Use Disorder Screening Instrument and the SASSI

A substance use disorder screening instrument is a tool that is used to identify individuals who may be struggling with substance abuse or addiction. There are several different types of screening instruments that may be used, but one of the most common is the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI).

The SASSI is a self-administered questionnaire that asks a series of questions related to an individual’s past and current use of drugs and alcohol, as well as their behavior and attitudes related to substance abuse. The questions are designed to identify patterns of behavior that may be indicative of a substance use disorder, such as a tendency to lie about drug or alcohol use, or a history of legal or financial problems related to substance abuse.

The SASSI also includes subtle scales which help to identify individuals who may be attempting to conceal their drug and alcohol use. There are several benefits to using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) as a substance use disorder screening instrument:

  • Standardization: The SASSI is a standardized tool that has been extensively researched and validated. This means that it provides a consistent and reliable method for identifying individuals who may be struggling with substance abuse.
  • Efficiency: The SASSI can be administered quickly and easily, either in paper or electronic format. This makes it a convenient tool for screening large groups of people, such as in a primary care or community health setting.
  • Sensitivity: The SASSI is designed to be sensitive to a wide range of substance use disorders, including those that may not be immediately apparent to healthcare providers or other professionals.
  • Validity: The SASSI subtle scales increase the accuracy of the results and ensure that individuals receive appropriate treatment based on their level of need.
  • Flexibility: The SASSI can be used with a variety of populations, including adults, adolescents, and those with co-occurring mental health disorders.

Overall, the SASSI provides a useful tool for healthcare providers, substance abuse professionals, criminal justice entities and others who are involved in identifying and treating substance use disorders. It can help to ensure that individuals receive appropriate care and support, which can ultimately improve their health and well-being.