Deciding to follow through on getting an addiction evaluation is a very big step—because it is one of the first ones you will take on your journey to sobriety. As early intervention is so valuable in the recovery of a person struggling with addiction, this step can be a critical move towards finding long-term success. Remember, waiting till you hit rock bottom is a dangerous idea, and the longer you delay the tougher it will be to find lasting recovery.
(Call us for a confidential substance abuse evaluation today at 844-489-0836)
That said, here is what you can expect from your typical assessment. (Plus, below you will get a look at how it works as First Steps Recovery.)
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) an initial evaluation has two parts:
- 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.
Part 1: The Screening
The process of screening is typically not much more than a list of questions. This questionnaire tool is intended to be the most preliminary aspect of an evaluation helping the professional understand the depth of issues and what direction to focus on during the deeper follow-up evaluation. As a quick way for an evaluator to assess potential risks, one benefit of this kind of evaluation is the ability to forecast potential addiction issues.
As well, these tests can even be self-administered (though this is only for personal reference and understanding). If you are not sure or have suspicions you have a substance addiction, a self screening is often the push needed to find a treatment plan. However, for an official evaluation, a professional should administer and review any screening.
Here are a couple of options:
For Alcohol Addiction:
The CAGE Questionnaire
The MAST
For drug addiction:
The DAST
Part 2: The Assessment
There are a few goals in an assessment some of them include:
- Determining if there is a drug or alcohol addiction
- Assessment of degree of addiction
- Decide if there are other conditions such as mental health or multiple addictions
- Get to know the person and their circumstances to begin to plan for treatment
The assessment is more thorough than the screening and gives the professionals a more complete picture of each individual looking for addiction treatment. If you are exploring treatment options at a facility (such as First Steps Recovery), the team will need as much information as possible in order to craft an individual treatment plan that is unique to you, your history, and your specific needs. As well, many residents struggle with multiple conditions in addition to addiction (depression, anxiety, other mental health issues). The professional staff of your treatment center will understand the role of each and the importance of treating multiple issues in order to help the individual find lasting recovery.
Often in an assessment, the screening results are reviewed, but it will feel more like an interview than an overly structured question and answer format. The reason for this is that the interviewer can find a broader picture of the individual and their risk factors and get a more expansive understanding of the drug use and/or abuse.
What to expect for assessment at First Steps Recovery:
Our pre-admission assessment is completed by one of our trained staff via phone. This assessment provides us with the necessary information to make sure that we are the appropriate treatment program for you or your loved one. It provides our team with background information prior to admittance in order to determine the best placement for those seeking help. Upon completion of the pre-admission assessment the information obtained will be reviewed and submitted to insurance for a pre-approval. The admissions coordinator will contact you with any information related to your insurance policy and any potential out of pocket expenses. Finally, an admission date will be set.
Call us for a confidential substance abuse evaluation today at 844-489-0836 and to schedule a pre-admission assessment.
