Feasibility of Incorporating a Standardized Substance Use Measure With Linked-Brief Intervention Into Routine Psychosocial Care of Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Substance Use; Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening (No Feedback); Behavioral: ASSIST Linked Brief Intervention (10 Step Motivational interviewing (MI)/FRAMES); Behavioral: WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening with Feedback

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07516301

NCI-2026-04535 (Other Identifier)

ASSIST

Details and patient eligibility

About

The ASSIST Study is designed to explore whether a brief, evidence based substance use screening and counseling approach can be easily integrated into routine survivorship care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

During a regularly scheduled psychosocial visit, participants complete the World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). This short questionnaire helps identify patterns of use related to tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and other substances. Survivors whose results show possible risk receive a brief, supportive counseling session during the same appointment. This session uses motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals reflect on their use and consider steps to reduce potential harm.

Primary Objective:

- Assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating a standardized substance use screening and brief intervention protocol into routine psychosocial workflows within a survivorship clinic.

Secondary Objective:

- Evaluate the fidelity of delivering a brief substance use intervention to reduce substance use behaviors among survivors.

Full description

The ASSIST Study is a pilot study at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital designed to explore whether a brief, evidence-based approach to substance use screening and counseling can be integrated into routine survivorship care for adult survivors of childhood cancer. During a regular visit in the After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic, participants will complete the World Health Organization's ASSIST questionnaire, which identifies potential risks related to alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use. Survivors who show moderate or high risk and are assigned to the intervention group receive a brief counseling session that uses motivational interviewing techniques to support healthy decision making.

This study will enroll 30 adult survivors to evaluate whether this screening and intervention approach is practical, acceptable, and delivered as intended within a busy clinic setting. Participants will also complete a follow up survey three months later to report whether they reduced their substance use. Results from this pilot will help determine whether a larger study should be conducted and may guide future efforts to enhance long term health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 15+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Followed in the ACT Clinic at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Greater than or equal to 15 years of age at time of evaluation
• Able to speak and read English

Exclusion criteria

• Significant mental or cognitive impairment that would impact ability to complete surveys or participate in the brief intervention

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

ASSIST Screening with Feedback and Brief Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

This arm is designed to integrate meaningful, patient centered conversations about substance use directly into routine survivorship care, making it easier for survivors to receive tailored support in real time

Treatment:

Behavioral: WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening with Feedback

Behavioral: ASSIST Linked Brief Intervention (10 Step Motivational interviewing (MI)/FRAMES)

ASSIST Screening Without Feedback

Active Comparator group

Description:

This comparison group will allow researchers to understand how the screening plus intervention approach differs from standard survivorship care, helping determine whether the added feedback and brief counseling are practical, acceptable, and potentially beneficial for adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Treatment:

Behavioral: WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening (No Feedback)