Purpose 🎯

Identify the function of substance use by examining what happens before, during, and after use.

Before, During, and After 🧩

Select one recent episode and identify:

• Antecedents or triggers
• Thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
• Substance-use behavior
• Immediate consequences
• Delayed consequences

Explore what need the substance use may have been trying to meet, such as relief, escape, connection, confidence, sleep, numbing, or stimulation.

Finding Alternatives 💡

Identify one alternative behavior that could address the same need with fewer negative consequences.

Telehealth / Whiteboard Version 💻

Use a chain analysis or ABC-style layout with columns for before, during, after, function, and alternative response.

Why This Works 🌱

Functional analysis helps patients understand the purpose substance use serves and develop targeted alternatives.

Clinical Pearl 🧠

Focus on curiosity rather than criticism. Understanding the function of use can guide more effective interventions.

Documentation Language 📝

Patient completed a functional analysis of a recent substance-use episode to identify antecedents, emotional states, consequences, function of use, and possible alternative responses.

Clinical Focus: Functional Analysis, Behavior Patterns, Alternative Coping