Addiction Assessments

Here are key aspects of our addiction assessments:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Motivational Enhancement: Part of addiction assessments may include motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals recognize the need for change and build motivation for treatment.
7. 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.
8. Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-up assessments and ongoing monitoring are vital for tracking progress, ensuring treatment compliance, and addressing any relapses or setbacks.
9. Safety Netting