What is the TLFB method and what is its purpose in SUD assessment?

• A. Timeline Follow-Back; a calendar-based retrospective method to assess daily substance use over a specified period.
• B. Timeline Length Forwarding; a forward-looking diary to predict future use.
• C. Timeline Linear Follow-back; a method to assess long-term prognosis.
• D. Timeline Life-Focus Brief; a short-term self-report of mood and cravings.

Answer: (A)

Timeline Follow-Back is a calendar-based retrospective self-report method used to collect detailed information on daily substance use over a defined period. By anchoring memory to calendar dates and personal events, it helps individuals recall whether they used substances on specific days and in what amounts, improving precision over simple yes/no questions. Its primary purpose in SUD assessment is to quantify how often and how much someone used, uncover patterns (such as weekend or binge use), and track changes over time to inform treatment planning, risk assessment, and outcome evaluation. While it relies on memory, the structured calendar format reduces recall bias compared with uncomplicated recall methods.