Finding the help necessary to overcome substance abuse can seem difficult for many. In the past year, the number of deaths caused by alcohol and drug addiction has increased tremendously. This is why the courts may ask for a drug and alcohol evaluation from a state-approved treatment facility in many cases involving substance use. Drug or alcohol-related offenses such as driving while intoxicated (DUI), possession, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication, to name a few.
The goal of an alcohol and drug evaluation is to determine whether an alcohol or drug dependency is present and whether substance abuse contributed to the arrest. This makes it possible for your evaluator to decide the proper course of action for recovery or intervention. Only licensed and certified counselors are permitted to conduct alcohol and drug evaluations. We call these individuals substance abuse professionals.
The first part of an alcohol and drug evaluation, after scheduling, includes completing a questionnaire. The information in the questionnaire will be used as a pre-screening tool and reference point for the substance abuse professional conducting your evaluation. The nature of the questionnaire may vary, but most questions on a questionnaire cover topics involving substance history and frequency. It is important to fill out assessments and questionnaires prior to the scheduled evaluation so that the evaluator can have a working/ better understanding of current conditions before meeting with the client. The clinician’s ability to review documentation prior allows for opportunities to catch behavioral or health patterns, trends, and observations and assess further. Quite often, conditions aren’t treated appropriately because symptoms are overlooked.
After the questionnaire, a one-on-one clinical interview with your substance abuse professional will take place. At this point, your evaluator will take this opportunity to ask you questions that delve deeper into your relationship with alcohol and drugs. Interview questions usually focus on how substance use has affected aspects of your life like finances, relationships, work, overall health, and triggers that may have caused the presence of anxiety or depression. You will not have to worry about any kind of judgment from your substance abuse professional, and the personal information you share during the evaluation will never be released without your consent. That said, being as open and honest as possible is the best way to utilize the alcohol and drug evaluation to find recovery options that meet your individual needs.
The next big step after the interview involves a critical decision that can help change or alter an individual’s past behaviors. We have now reached the road to recovery. During the evaluation, your substance abuse professional was given a chance to evaluate the nature and depth of your substance abuse to determine which program(s) could help you recover. This can include education, individual counseling, group therapy, outpatient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient rehabilitation, in-patient rehabilitation, detoxing, and so much more. The resources and opportunities are endless. To make things easier, all recommendations will be placed in a written evaluation report for you to take home and consider. The alcohol and drug evaluation process are finally over, and it’s time for you to decide when your road to recovery will begin and where it will take you.