In the assessment process for SUD, what is the purpose of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)?

• A. To provide a standardized, clinician-administered diagnostic interview to confirm DSM diagnoses, including SUD and comorbid disorders.
• B. To provide a self-administered screening for substance use.
• C. To assess readiness to change and motivation.
• D. To screen for general psychosocial functioning.

Answer: (A)

SCID is a standardized, clinician-administered interview that aligns with DSM criteria to determine whether someone meets criteria for psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders, and to identify comorbid conditions. Its purpose is to provide a reliable, structured method for diagnosing DSM disorders in both clinical practice and research, ensuring diagnoses are based on established criteria rather than impression alone. The clinician uses predefined questions and probes to assess symptom presence, duration, impairment, and differential diagnoses, which helps distinguish a true substance use disorder from substance-induced conditions and reveals any co-occurring mental health disorders. It’s not a self-administered screening tool, not a measure of readiness to change, and not a general psychosocial functioning screen; those roles are served by other instruments. Using the SCID supports accurate diagnosis, informs treatment planning, and improves consistency across evaluators.