The Purpose of an Addiction Assessment or Evaluation
In our professional opinion, assessments or evaluations are excellent for two reasons:
- They help you narrow the search, determine your recovery and treatment goals, and find a treatment suited for your individual needs.
- It helps prevent substance use, overdose, and addiction. Healthcare professionals who can assess and offer valuable life-saving information are critical to preventing substance use.
An addiction assessment has many purposes, and it should be comprehensive and benefit the family and addict. A substance abuse evaluation builds an effective treatment plan, which is tailored to the individual needs of the addict and even the family. The assessment would explore the history of substance use and addiction treatment, if any, along with other factors contributing to the addiction. It is essential to give the drug-addicted individual the best possible chance at recovery.
What to Expect During an Addiction Assessment or Screening
Most evaluations or assessments are broken down into two steps, which are screening and assessment.
Assessment
An assessment is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for the problem or diagnosis. The assessment usually finds direct evidence that supports the presence of substance abuse. The interviews are structured to determine the presence of an addiction. An evaluation gives a comprehensive perspective into the individual situation and what should be addressed.
Screening
The screening process is used to evaluate the possible presence of a particular problem, in which an outcome is normally a simple yes or no. Overall, substance abuse screening determines if there is a situation that warrants a more in-depth look. Substance abuse screening is a crucial aspect of the rehabilitation process because it provides pre-emptive care and support. An assessment is usually the first step many families or drug users take.
Ask a Professional
How does a drug and alcohol assessment help me find the right rehab?
Finding a drug rehab that meets your needs is key to a successful recovery from drugs and alcohol. Since there are so many options, an assessment helps you understand what level of care is needed. Questions asked in an evaluation will help the addiction professional determine the correct type of treatment in terms of rehab type and duration.
I am court-ordered to do a drug and alcohol assessment. What do I do now?
Generally speaking, once ordered by the court to get an assessment done, it is usually up to the individual to ensure this is completed by the time laid out by the judge. Most counties or parishes have local or state organizations that conduct assessments the court accepts. You should set an appointment immediately. Once completed, you should coordinate with the facility that performed the evaluation and the court to ensure they know you have complied with the judge’s orders. This is not legal advice; always speak to your lawyer or public defender to answer legal questions specific to your case.
How soon after an assessment can I receive treatment?
How soon you receive treatment depends on a variety of factors. These include but are not limited to bed availability, court approval, affordability, and willingness. Every individual’s situation is unique, so it is best to speak to a professional regarding the exact timeline between drug assessment and treatment.
Are online or phone assessments as effective as in-person evaluations?
No, when an addiction professional can see the individual, ask questions, and drug test them, they have a more accurate evaluation of the individual’s needs. Many individuals fail to disclose everything that is happening with them, and off-site interviews or questionaries make it easier for a person to downplay their drug use. Ultimately one should always do an assessment that utilizes a drug test as it will provide more accurate information about the current situation.
Want to know more?
The questions from Addicted.org’s “Learn from our Experts” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at mike@addicted.org.
