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Published On: May 15, 2017|Categories: Treatment|

An addiction assessment is the first step on the journey to long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. When entering an addiction treatment center, clients will need to be carefully evaluated before a treatment plan can be created and therapy can begin. Addiction specialists will ask a variety of questions, and the answers that clients provide will help to form their treatment regimen.

During an addiction assessment, it is vital that clients are as forthcoming as possible about the nature of their addiction, as well as any mental and physical symptoms they might be suffering from. While this may be an uncomfortable experience, you have nothing to be ashamed of. An addiction treatment center is not a place for judgment; rather, it is a safe and confidential space, filled with healthcare providers determined to deliver quality care with compassion.

Addiction assessment process

Before deciding to complete an addiction assessment, it may be helpful to understand what to expect from the process. The most commonly used addiction assessment tool is the MAST Assessment (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) which has been adapted to fit numerous evaluation demands.

During the initial stage of an addiction assessment, you will be asked if you are currently under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. You will be asked what substances you have taken recently and in the past. Medical caregivers will need to understand the quantity and frequency of substance use they are accustomed to.

Questions may also address a lack in fulfilling duties, loss of control and other behaviors that might indicate the presence of addiction. Knowing the answers to these types of questions allows addiction specialists to form a customized treatment plan to help sufferers on their recovery path.

The addiction assessment interview will most likely take some time. While it may seem long and detailed, all questions are associated with your treatment plan. These pointed questions pertaining to personal decisions and private information assist healthcare providers in crafting your individualized path to healing and restoration. Understanding your behaviors and habits pertaining to substances and otherwise will indicate what healthcare providers may need to screen you for based on the health risks associated with the behavior.

Medical tests

During the addiction assessment process, clients will be asked to provide a sample of their urine and blood for testing. The results of these tests will help addiction specialists craft your treatment plan. Of course, depending on the nature of your physical health, you may be asked to take other medical tests that could impact your treatment plan.

Clients should remember that addiction is a disease, and these tests are designed to identify health problems so they can be effectively treated. Be sure to talk with your doctor ahead of time to understand any requirements or prerequisites for the testing that you will undergo.

Mental health evaluation

Evaluating mental health is a vital part of the addiction assessment process. Approximately one-third of addiction sufferers have an accompanying mental health disorder. When addiction occurs with a mental illness, it’s referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Dual diagnosis requires simultaneous treatment for all disorders, so it’s important that addiction specialists and therapists understand the type of mood or mental disorder the individual is suffering from so that medications and other therapies can be prescribed. Additionally, sufferers may be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms in the form of depression or anxiety that healthcare providers need to know about when crafting a treatment plan.

While the addiction assessment process may initially feel burdensome, it is of the highest importance in order to gain an accurate understanding of each person’s mental and physical health. The results of your addiction assessment will enable specialists to develop a treatment plan. With effective treatment, addiction can be successfully managed.

If you are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, take the first step on your recovery journey and schedule an addiction assessment at a treatment center now.

Get assessed today

If you think that you or a loved one could benefit from an assessment of addiction and substance abuse, Rehab After Work is here for you. Browse our Addictions Awareness programs and call 610-644-6464 to make an appointment for a confidential evaluation today.

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