Addiction assessments are a critical step in the process of addressing substance use and alcohol disorders and helping individuals achieve and maintain recovery.
Dr Mahmood has worked in the field of alcohol and drugs for over 20 years. He started his career in 2003 while helping patients with addiction issues in Pakistan, where he worked hard to raise public awareness through live TV and radio programs while working in an inpatient rehab as well.
After moving to the UK, he worked at Bristol Drugs and Alcohol Services and did research on literature related to electrostimulation and acupuncture therapies in Addiction. He also shadowed Prof. David Nutt (A leading name in the field of Addiction research, worldwide). After doing initial Psychiatry training in one of the best psychiatric training institutes (South London and Maudsley), he worked as a medical officer for Glasgow Addiction Services and was soon promoted to Senior Medical Officer role.Â
He then engaged at Scottish Government Level to bring policy changes (drug related deaths, blood borne virus testing). He was also the Clinical Lead for Black Minority and Ethnic drugs and alcohol services, Glasgow. He completed RCGP Substance Misuse Training with the Royal College of General Practitioners. After completing his GP training, he continued to pursue his interests and now works as a GP specialist for a leading private inpatient alcohol and drugs rehab service with several branches all over the UK. In addition, he is also Mental Health Act Section 12 approved.
Private GP Services London are therefore well placed to address your or your beloved one’s problems with drugs or alcohol. We ensure confidentiality. We can assess your problems with Alcohol, Opiates, Cocaine, Cannabis, THC, Benzodiazepines, Ketamine, Nitrous Oxide, and many more.
For impartial Advice and Confidential Assessment
If you are a patient yourself then please book an Addiction Assessment charged at £250. It is best to call or email us for this.
However, if it’s your beloved one having addiction issues and you want advice, then please book a normal GP video or face to face appointment, ideally for 30 minutes.
Please note this is not a prescribing service for addictions or controlled drugs
Here are key aspects of our addiction assessments:
- Purpose:
- Diagnosis: Assessments are used to diagnose substance use disorders, such as alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or stimulant use disorder. They help in differentiating between abuse and dependence.
- Treatment Planning: They help determine the appropriate level and type of treatment, whether it be outpatient counseling, inpatient rehabilitation, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or other interventions.
- Risk Assessment: Assessments identify any potential health risks or co-occurring mental health conditions that may require additional attention.
- Monitoring Progress: Ongoing assessments help track an individual’s progress in recovery and adjust treatment plans as needed.
- Types of Addiction Assessments:
- Clinical Interviews: We conduct structured interviews to gather information about the your or your beloved one’s substance use or Alcohol history, patterns, consequences, and motivations.
- Questionnaires and Standardized Tools: Self-report questionnaires and assessment tools like the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) may be used help assess the severity.
- Mental Health Assessment: This may include assessments to evaluate mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma, which can often co-occur with addiction.
- Components:
- Addiction assessments typically cover various areas, including substance use history, frequency and quantity of use, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, social and legal consequences, family history of addiction, and current mental health status.
- They explore factors such as tolerance, withdrawal, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use, and the amount of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from substance use.
- Blood tests: We will advise on any blood tests or further investigations needed. These are sometimes very important to ensure drugs or alcohol have not caused any physical damage, e.g. to your liver, blood borne virus etc.
- Treatment Recommendations: Based on the assessment findings, we will make treatment recommendations tailored to the your specific needs. This may involve various levels of care, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and addressing co-occurring mental health issues.
- Motivational Enhancement: Part of addiction assessments may include motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals recognize the need for change and build motivation for treatment.
- Support Systems: We take into account your support systems, including family and social networks, which can play a crucial role in recovery. Rest assured we will not contact any of your support network unless you want us to.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-up assessments and ongoing monitoring are vital for tracking progress, ensuring treatment compliance, and addressing any relapses or setbacks.
- Safety Netting
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