What to Expect at a Substance Abuse Evaluation

Substance abuse evaluations can be nerve-wracking. After all, someone is put on the spot and asked to discuss private information with a stranger. It’s only natural to be nervous or even embarrassed. However, knowing what to expect and understanding what substance abuse evaluations are, will greatly alleviate any concerns, especially since these assessments are pretty standard and mostly consist of the same things. Read this article by Avenues Recovery, leading drug addiction treatment experts, to learn what a standard drugs and alcohol evaluation consists of, so you can attend the meeting minus the nerves.

It’s also important for individuals to remember they’re not being judged for anything they’ve done, nor do they have to apologize during a substance abuse evaluation.

What is a Substance Abuse Evaluation?

A substance abuse evaluation is an evaluation that addiction treatment centers often require to determine the extent of addiction and the best way to treat it. Some drug and alcohol users may be required to have a court-ordered substance abuse evaluation. This could happen in the case of out-of-control substance abuse that endangers oneself or others. When someone reaches that point, a mandated assessment must take place. 

An alcohol and substance abuse evaluation has many purposes:

• Determines if the individual has an alcohol or drug addiction
• Determines the extent of the addiction
• Discerns if there are any co-occurring disorders
• Assesses how much the addiction affects an individual’s life
• Offers an understanding of the individual’s unique circumstances so the right treatment plan can be built

What Does a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Consist Of? 

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There are two parts to any substance abuse evaluation: a screening and a substance abuse assessment. The first evaluates the possible presence of a drug or alcohol addiction. The second defines the problem, provides a diagnosis, and develops a specific treatment plan for recovery. Substance abuse evaluation questions are always similar, so once you’ve read this article or done some independent research, you can know what to expect and how to pass a drug and alcohol evaluation test.

Substance Abuse Screening

This part helps the professional examiner determine if there is in fact an addiction that needs further examination. Often, one can complete the screening online for convenience. It’s important for both the professional and individual as it will highlight any risk factors while allowing for early care and support. It can be a healthy first step on the road to recovery.

There are 4 things every screening will include:

1. Family history of drug and alcohol use/abuse
2. Questions about your addiction: What an individual is using and how much
3. Legal/social/employment impact
4. Age of first use

Substance Abuse Assessment

This part of the alcohol and substance abuse evaluation aims to find direct evidence that supports the presence or absence of a drug or alcohol addiction. Here, a professional interviews the individual while reviewing the screening results. 

A more thorough examination is necessary to get a better idea of what’s going on. This can be in the form of a structured interview or semi-structured interview. A structured interview uses a pre-set framework of questions that don’t necessarily allow for detailed responses. A semi-structured interview uses the pre-set questions alongside specific supplemented questions developed by an expert to better examine an individual’s circumstances. The second is a much better interview process because it can help fine-tune an effective treatment plan.

Do You Get Drug Tested at a Substance Abuse Evaluation? 

Substance abuse evaluations that take place preceding admission into a treatment facility do not usually include drug testing. However, in cases where a legal charge involves drugs and alcohol and the court mandates a substance abuse assessment, a drug and alcohol urinalysis may be part of the evaluation.

How Long Does a Substance Abuse Evaluation Take?

In total, one can reasonably expect to budget just over 2 hours for a substance abuse evaluation.

Back to topOnce a substance screening and assessment (and, if necessary, drug testing) are complete, the evaluation is over.

• Screening is pretty quick (even more so when done in advance)
• An assessment is estimated to take between 90 minutes to 2 hours
• Drug testing is also pretty quick, as long as it takes to produce a urine, hair or blood sample. The results are usually ready within a couple of days to a week.

What Happens Next?

After a team of facility professionals examines an individual’s substance abuse evaluation results, they can make recommendations for rehabilitation treatment. The final meeting before entering a facility will include the results of the substance abuse evaluation and suggested next steps.

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Possible Treatment Recommendations:

• No treatment
• Drug or alcohol education classes
• Outpatient substance abuse treatment
• Residential substance abuse treatment
• Couples or family therapy
• Individual counseling
• Medication organization and management

Summary: An Overview of Substance Abuse Evaluations

Remember, a drug and alcohol evaluation is for one’s own benefit. While someone might feel embarrassed, ashamed, and secretive, it’s in your own interest to be honest. Keeping anything back only harms people in the long run and hinders their chances for recovery and a healthier life.

A substance abuse evaluation should be seen as a positive experience. It provides a brief intervention that showcases an individual’s unique alcohol or drug problem. Additionally, it allows teams to develop effective recommendations and treatment plans for individuals, not just cookie-cutter solutions. Evaluations will still all follow a similar format, so individuals can come prepared and confident to start their journeys.

If you have any questions about substance abuse evaluations or are dealing with any kind of drug or alcohol addiction, Avenues Recovery can assist you. We offer a variety of treatment programs and extensive resources which have helped thousands to recover. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today to speak with one of our trained and caring treatment specialists who can explain your options clearly and walk you through the next best steps. Embrace the sober life that you deserve and look forward to your bright future ahead!