Data based on the reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that alcohol consumption leads to about 2.6 million deaths each year, which can account for 4.7% of all deaths. Furthermore, it indicates that around 400 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol use disorders, with 209 million of them experiencing alcohol dependence.

Apart from alcohol, psychoactive drug use is also responsible for 0.6 million deaths. Clearly, these figures show how alarming the danger that drugs and alcohol pose to many of us globally.

Considering the number of alcohol and drug-related cases, there is a need for an evaluation or assessment to determine someone’s history of substance use, how severe the condition is, and to craft a treatment plan to prevent the condition from progressing.

In this article, our experts from Luxe Recovery explain how drug and alcohol evaluation or assessment works.

What Is A Drug And Alcohol Evaluation?

A drug and alcohol evaluation is an assessment conducted by experts or professionals about how someone uses drugs and alcohol. This procedure typically examines the person’s history of drug use and explores the present behaviors associated with substance use.

Generally, the goal of this evaluation is to determine if the individual has an addiction to a certain or multiple substances. Commonly, the assessment procedure starts with questionnaires, which are used to screen the presence of a mental health condition or a substance use problem. A clinical interview then follows it.

After collecting all the necessary information, the clinician will determine if there is a drug or alcohol problem. If the evaluation shows that the person is likely having problems related to substance use, then the expert will create a treatment plan to assist the person in overcoming their addiction.

What Is The Purpose Of Drug And Alcohol Evaluations?

While you might have heard about drug and alcohol evaluation, there are several purposes why this assessment is being conducted. These may include but are not limited to the following:

Screening for the potential presence of substance use problems or disorders
Determine if there is a presence of co-occurring mental health conditions
Allows the individuals to discuss with the professional their alcohol and drug use
Explore underlying issues that might have caused the substance abuse
Helps experts and professionals to determine the best treatment option

How A Drug And Alcohol Assessment Works

A comprehensive substance abuse evaluation typically includes screening, assessment, follow-up, and referral. Each of these processes works with an end view of identifying addiction and providing recommendations for appropriate treatment.

Screening

Screening checks if a person has addiction or related disorders. It usually consists of direct questions that require as simple as a yes or no answer. Questions may include related to the patient’s family background or history of drug use, among others. For instance, the evaluator might ask, ‘Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?’

Assessment

If the screening process identifies if there is a potential presence of alcohol or drug abuse, the assessment continues the process by looking at how serious the condition is. For instance, questions such as ‘Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?’ might be asked by the evaluator.

Follow-Up

Although follow-up is not always necessary, it may be suggested by the evaluator when the treatment plan indicates that therapy or other treatments are needed.

Referral

Referral is the process of referring patients to appropriate treatment options that best suit their needs and conditions. For example, if the assessment shows that patients have a serious substance use disorder, they might be referred for residential treatment.

What To Expect

The evaluation process is conducted on an outpatient basis, where the evaluator looks at the presence of addictive behaviors related to various substances such as methamphetamines, cocaine, alcohol, and more.

During the process, you will be asked about your history of substance abuse, medical conditions, mental health problems, and other vital information that might be related to alcohol and drug use problems. This assessment is done using standardized tests and other relevant documents, such as court records, medical histories, and past psychiatric evaluations.

After a thorough interview, the evaluation results in a personalized diagnosis and a written report that may suggest referral or treatment recommendations, if needed.

Court Order And Evaluation

The court may require a substance use evaluation for people involved in illegal activities, such as driving under the influence or using illicit substances. Typically, a court-ordered evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional, like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. This court-mandated assessment helps them to:

Find out if someone has alcohol or drug addiction
Decide related to sentence or probation
Evaluate the severity of alcohol or drug use
Determine any co-occurring conditions

Other Reasons That Need An Alcohol And Drug Evaluation

Apart from court-ordered evaluation, a drug and alcohol assessment can be useful in terms of

Understanding how the substance affects one’s life
Helping your family and friends to assist you in finding treatment
Referring the patient to an addiction specialist for an appropriate treatment plan

What An Alcohol And Drug Evaluation Includes

Alcohol and drug evaluation is more than asking questions related to substance use problems. To ensure that the result is accurate and reliable, it typically involves:

A Comprehensive Assessment

A comprehensive assessment covers many aspects of the person, such as physical, psychological, and social factors related to addiction and recovery. You might expect substance screenings, toxicology tests, and even consultation from family members.

Psychological Assessment

Psychological assessment or testing helps the evaluator to identify the underlying causes of substance use. By evaluating these factors during treatment, professionals can have an opportunity to tackle related issues such as trauma, mood disorders, or personality disorders.

Interviewing

The person usually has an initial interview with a licensed professional. This interview may include questions about their history of substance use, family background, physical and mental health, and any legal or job-related problems connected to their addiction.

Standardized Tests For Assessment

A licensed professional such as a psychologist can give standardized tests to evaluate a person’s substance use and related behaviors. These tests might include the Adult Substance Use Survey (ASUS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), among others.

How Long Will An Evaluation Take?

A certified addiction specialist will walk you through each step. The entire procedure for alcohol and drug evaluation would generally take about 60 to 90 minutes.

Can An Evaluation Be Done Online Or In Person?

Although drug and alcohol assessment involves several processes, the procedure can be done either online or in person. Some people may opt for online services as they are more accessible.

Is An Evaluation Free Or To Be Paid For?

Generally, alcohol and drug assessment has to be paid. However, many treatment facilities offer free assessment and are included in the comprehensive treatment program.

How To Get Started

A drug and alcohol assessment is a key step in recognizing harmful behaviors and habits. The next step is to seek professional help like drug detox and begin your journey to recovery in a treatment facility such as Luxe Recovery. Here, you will learn skills that will benefit you even after completing the program.

If you think you or a loved one could gain from a drug and alcohol evaluation, we encourage you to seek help. Our team is ready to answer any questions about the evaluation process.

Begin your path to recovery