THE POLYSUBSTANCE ASSESSMENT TOOL (PAT)
Polysubstance use is a complex behavior to accurately measure. This project, funded by a National Institute on Drug Abuse K01, aimed to develop a novel measure to capture simultaneous and same-day polysubstance use behaviors. The development of the PAT spanned multiple phases, including (i) qualitative interviews, (ii) expert panel review, (iii) cognitive interviews, and (iv) psychometric property testing. An interviewer-administered version, programmed via REDCap, and a self-administered tool, built as an iOS application, were ultimately developed and tested. The PAT assesses substances used in the past 30 days, frequency of use, route of administration, simultaneous polysubstance use, same-day polysubstance use, motivations of use, use of prescribed medications that may increase overdose risk, and overdose history. Full details of measurement domains and a schematic demonstrating the flow of questions are available in the open-access article that reports reliability, feasibility, and acceptability results. Overall, the PAT is a reliable, acceptable, and brief instrument for assessment of polysubstance use.
Psychometric Property Testing (open access):
Bunting AM, Cleland CM, Barratt SM, Griffin B, Williams J, Oser CB, Lee JD, McNeely JM. The Polysubstance Assessment Tool: Reliability, acceptability and feasibility of a novel measure of polysubstance use. Addiction. 2026; online first.
License Request:
Requests must be made via nyu https://license.tov.med.nyu.edu/product/polysubstance-use-assessment-tool-pat
ABOUT ME
I am a substance use researcher in the Section on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use in the Department of Population Health at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. My research addresses three priority areas of high-risk polysubstance use (i.e., co-use of substances known to contribute to overdose, primarily opioids & stimulants): (1) measurement of polysubstance use, (2) understanding patterns and correlates of polysubstance use patterns, and (3) interventions targeted to polysubstance use populations. My work in these areas is focused on patterns of use and outcomes among vulnerable and underserved populations (e.g., justice-involved, rural). I am particularly interested in interventions addressing PTSD among individuals engaged in opioid-stimulant polysubstance use and expanding naloxone for unintentional polysubstance exposure. I am currently supported by a K01 career development award to develop a novel assessment tool to measure polysubstance use among vulnerable populations.
HIGHLIGHTS
In February of 2023, I received an NIH HEAL Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes HEAL-funded researchers in the early to middle stages of their careers, across all disciplines, who are applying an innovative approach or creativity in research or are expanding HEAL research into addressing the pain and opioid crisis in new directions.
In October 2025, I was awarded the Dr. Beny J. Primm Service Award for excellence in research by StartCare, a Black-founded, community-based healthcare organization with which I have partnered in my NIDA-funded R34.
