Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM)
17-item instrument for monitoring patients in addiction treatment. Assesses substance use, protective factors, and risk factors for relapse. Designed for routine use at each treatment visit.
Score interpretation
No substance use, protective factors present, low risk factors
→ Reinforce recovery; continue treatment; plan community support; spacing of appointments if stable
Some substance use or risk factors identified
→ Review relapse prevention plan; address specific risk domains (stress, mental health, housing); increase session frequency; consider medication-assisted treatment review
Active substance use and/or multiple risk factors
→ Urgent clinical review; consider intensive outpatient or residential treatment; assess safety; review MAT (methadone/buprenorphine dose); mental health co-management; social services involvement if needed
Interpretation bands for the BAM. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Cacciola JS et al. Development and initial evaluation of the Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM). J Subst Abuse Treat. 2013;44(3):256–263.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Thiamine (IV/IM — Pabrinex) · Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) — deficiency treatment / Wernicke's encephalopathy prevention
- Dextrose 10% IV · IV glucose solution (hypoglycaemia treatment)
- Glucose · Carbohydrate / hypoglycaemia treatment
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) · Injectable Progestogen Contraceptive / Hormone Treatment
- Demeclocycline hydrochloride · Tetracycline antibiotic / off-label SIADH treatment
- Prednisolone (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) · Corticosteroid (systemic — SSNHL treatment)
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.