smast_g_score: Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test - Geriatric Version...

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test - Geriatric Version (SMAST-G)

Description

Calculates the SMAST-G score, a 10-item screening tool specifically designed to identify alcohol problems in older adults. A score of 2 or more is generally considered a positive screen indicative of potential alcohol abuse.

Usage

smast_g_score(underestimate_drinking, skip_meals, decrease_shakes, memory_loss,
              drink_to_relax, drink_to_forget_problems, increase_after_loss,
              doctor_concerned, make_rules, drink_when_lonely)

Arguments

underestimate_drinking	Numeric (0 or 1). When talking with others, do you ever underestimate how much you drink? (1 = Yes).
skip_meals	Numeric (0 or 1). After a few drinks, have you sometimes not eaten or been able to skip a meal because you didn't feel hungry? (1 = Yes).
decrease_shakes	Numeric (0 or 1). Does having a few drinks help decrease your shakiness or tremors? (1 = Yes).
memory_loss	Numeric (0 or 1). Does alcohol sometimes make it hard for you to remember parts of the day or night? (1 = Yes).
drink_to_relax	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you usually take a drink to relax or calm your nerves? (1 = Yes).
drink_to_forget_problems	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you drink to take your mind off your major problems? (1 = Yes).
increase_after_loss	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you ever increased your drinking after experiencing a loss in your life? (1 = Yes).
doctor_concerned	Numeric (0 or 1). Has a doctor or nurse ever said they were worried or concerned about your drinking? (1 = Yes).
make_rules	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you ever made rules to manage your drinking? (1 = Yes).
drink_when_lonely	Numeric (0 or 1). When you feel lonely, does having a drink help? (1 = Yes).

Value

A list containing:

SMAST_G_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-10).
Result	Interpretation of the screen (Positive/Negative).

References

Blow FC, Brower KJ, Schulenberg JE, et al. The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test - Geriatric Version (SMAST-G): a new elderly-specific screening instrument. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1992.

Examples

# Example 1: Positive Screen
# Drinks to relax (1), Doctor concerned (1), Lonely (1)
# Score = 3
smast_g_score(0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1)

# Example 2: Negative Screen
# No affirmative responses
# Score = 0
smast_g_score(0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.