Substance Abuse Evaluation
Substance abuse or addiction can deeply affect a person on many levels, causing damage to their body, mind, and relationships. Sometimes—in certain circumstances—when a person’s substance use has gotten out of control, they may find themselves engaging in activities that endanger themselves, their health, or that of others.
When a person has reached this point and they need help, either as mandated through the court, by choice, or through an intervention, they will commonly be faced with a substance abuse evaluation. This evaluation is a tool used to help determine the extent of a person’s misuse and abuse of drugs or alcohol and to determine how to go about treating a person to achieve the greatest success.
The Purpose Of A Substance Abuse Evaluation
An evaluation does these things:
Determines if the individual has a drug or alcohol addiction
Assesses the extent of the substance use or addiction
Discerns if there are any co-occurring conditions, including any physical or mental health concerns, or any other drug use
Assesses the extent by which the substance use affects the person’s life
Provides an understanding of the person and their circumstances so that the team may establish a baseline and build a treatment plan that is best suited for their needs and recovery
What To Expect In An Evaluation
An evaluation is broken down into two steps: a screening and an assessment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines them as:
Screening is a process for evaluating the possible presence of a particular problem. The outcome is normally a simple yes or no.
Assessment is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for addressing the problem or diagnosis.
The counselor will, through written assessments and interviews, inquire about your health history, past and present drug and/or alcohol use, the manner and behaviors by which it affected your life, and any history of treatment for these concerns.