What is a Substance Abuse Assessment & Evaluation?
An addiction expert at Counseling of Southwest Florida will conduct a screening that serves as the preliminary assessment to determine if substance abuse is likely. If the results of the initial screening show the likelihood of alcohol or drug abuse in an individual, then a substance abuse assessment is performed.
The substance abuse assessment is a thorough evaluation designed to definitively establish the presence or absence of a diagnosable substance abuse problem. The results of the assessment are used to suggest what is likely to be the most appropriate type of treatment when tobacco, alcohol, or drug abuse in an individual is evident.
Why are Substance Abuse Assessments Necessary?
The purpose of an assessment is to identify potential and current substance abusers as early as possible. Once identified, the process of determining the appropriate intervention methods begins. It is important to discover with certainty, past and current substance use patterns and to make recommendations for further prevention.
It can be very difficult to identify an individual with an alcohol or drug abuse problem by observing them from a surface perspective. While sober, a drug abuser’s behavior may be indiscernible from that of a non-user. This is especially true for users who are at the beginning stages of their drug abuse. Additionally, individuals who go out and consume too much alcohol or those who may have taken an intoxicating drug, may not necessarily be an abuser of that substance. Addiction and substance abuse may not be fully recognizable until it’s too late, making a substance abuse assessment all the more vital for individuals who display any signs of abuse.
How to Begin an Evaluation
Meet with one of our experts in the addiction field to complete an in-depth substance abuse assessment, which will assist you in understanding your relationship with drugs and alcohol, as well as the necessary steps to treat it. Upon completion of your evaluation, you will have a clearer understanding of the scope and depth of your problem, and your assessor will provide individualized treatment recommendations that will assist you in making healthy changes in the specific problem areas identified during the assessment.
At Counseling of Southwest Florida, we also offer court ordered substance abuse evaluations for DUI, as well as for county and state probation. We also conduct substance abuse evaluations for out-of-county and out-of-state DUI and probation related referrals. For court ordered substance abuse assessments, you will need to bring:
- A copy of the results of your NEEDS Assessment if you went to a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (RRP)
- A report from the Department of Driver Services or Department of Motor Vehicles detailing your driving history (generally going back 7 years)
- A copy of any criminal history or arrests, and a copy of the arrest report.
For more information, contact us today or call 239-775-0039 to speak with a specialist!