Summary: This article reviews AI enabled substance use screening with a clinical and ethical lens. It synthesizes screening algorithms, NLP of clinical narratives, and pathways for nursing led harm reduction and referral.

Substance use disorders are often underdetected. AI can augment screening by analyzing structured data and free text to flag patients for brief interventions and linkage to treatment while safeguarding privacy and consent.

Technically systems combine validated screening instruments with NLP of notes and predictive models using prior prescriptions and utilization patterns. Ethical safeguards include opt in consent, confidentiality protections, and human review before action. Validation requires diverse cohorts and measurement of linkage to care and harm reduction outcomes.

Guidance: Guidance: ensure consent and confidentiality, co design workflows with behavioral health and harm reduction services, pilot with nurse led brief interventions, and monitor for disparities and unintended consequences.

Conclusion: AI screening can increase detection and timely referral when ethical safeguards and nurse led pathways are in place.

Final Summary: screening + NLP; consent safeguards; harm reduction linkage; nurse brief interventions; equity monitoring

Useful Facts: behavioral health | harm reduction | nursing practice

Related Topics: nursing;behavioral health NLP finds undocumented substance concerns; Consent is essential; Nurse led brief interventions improve linkage; Pilot evaluation measures referral uptake; Privacy protections prevent harm