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Although the main goal of the assessment is to refer clients to treatment, many clients refuse treatment. However, they are willing to accept referrals to non-addiction agencies to resolve problems that have either been caused by addiction or that led to the problems. This assessment may be an intervention that the client needs. You will want to use the appropriate research-based screening tools that may be applicable to the client’s individual circumstances.

Alcohol abuse is growing rapidly throughout U.S. society. One in every twelve adults is being diagnosed with alcohol abuse (Barlow and Durand, 2006). All that are diagnosed with alcohol abuse must meet one or more of the following criteria within a twelve month period: he/ she must fail to accomplish major work, school or home

In an effort to aid in the proper treatment recommendations for individuals presenting with substance abuse or dependence issues, the ASI was created for study purposes through the Veteran’s Administration in 1977 (McLellan et Al., 2006). It is a multidimensional assessment tool that expands its focus outside of simply substance abuse, but into other key complex domains that that either directly impact the individual’s substance abuse, or their subsequent recovery efforts (Denis, et AL., 2012). The ASI is a semi-structured assessment tool, that while it utilizes direct answers, also allows for the expansion of certain questions and the ability for assessor notes outside of provided questions, in order to allow a clearer understanding within certain domains. While I have never personally used a precise ASI assessment professionally with a client, I did notice an undeniable, almost succinct, similarity with the biopsychosocial assessment I use with clients in my position.

The Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInc) is a 50 questionnaire consisting of questions pertaining to a client’s physical, social, intrapersonal, impulse control, and interpersonal problems on a likert scale (Van Wormer & Davis, 2013). DrInc analyzes a client’s alcohol use, severity, treatments, and treatment outcomes, and changes in alcohol problems overtime (Miller, Tonigan & Longabaugh, 1995). DrInc is given to clients at an onsite location where there are limited distractions (PUBS). The counselor will explain why the assessment is being given and what information will be collected from the data (Miller et al., 1995). One of the main strengths of DrInc is it’s reliability, validity, and usefulness

The first step in assessment without the abuser present is issuing a questionnaire to the affected person to fill out. In the process, the addicted person highlights the treatment history, drug(s) abused, patterns of behaviour, health history, signs and symptoms, and the effects the addiction has had in his/ her life. This will help a clinician or a consultant to determine the correct diagnosis of the problem and offer the best possible treatment to the client. The first step in assessment evaluates for the safety of the client since it tries to determine the treatment history and healthy history of a client to ensure safety measures are looked into when the client starts undergoing drug abuse therapy. In addition, the assessment step outlines consequences of abusing when the counsellor or a health profession enquires about the effects of addiction. A consultant is able to determine where to start the therapy after identifying the extent of substance

Client is attended 10 out of 13 groups and missed 3 of them during the month of March, 2017. UA collected on 03/06 was positive for alcohol use. Client admitted 03/18/17 as his last day of alcohol use. Client appears to struggle to maintain his sobriety. Relapse prevention and ways to comply with treatment and court mendates were discussed. Client reported that he started taking Disulfiram 250 mg (Medication for alcoholism) on a daily basis to manage his cravings. Client also reported that he will try to attend self-help meeting daily. Client may benefit from a brief inpatient placement due to continued alcohol use.

Alcoholism is a growing problem in the United states. About eighteen million people in the U.S. have this disorder. Alcoholism is a serious problem that can be helped if a person receives treatment. Throughout the United States there are many resources like the Farley center whose goal is to help Alcoholics recover and get back into society. Places like the Farley center offer different treatment plans depending on the severity of a given person’s situation, for instance they may only have you stay a few days or up to 3 months, they have a 12-Step program, and the patient gets a personalized treatment created by the qualified professionals at the center.

Screening idyllically should transpire in a way that simplifies subsequent evaluation or recommendation for an assessment among individuals recognized as positive on the screening measure (Volk, et al., 2007). Screening methods are not anticipated to offer a diagnosis; assessment for purposes of diagnosis takes place in succeeding phases of appraisal. Screening measures are not intended to elucidate the nature and degree of such difficulties. By disparity, assessment processes are intended to reconnoiter fully the nature and magnitude of an individual's complications with alcohol (Passik, et al.,

Assessment has five steps when working with clients with dual disorders. The five steps include: detection, classification, functional assessment, functional analysis, and treatment planning. Each of the five steps incorporate specific goals, instruments, and strategies. The first step detection goal involves recognizing clients with a drug problem. “The instrument most commonly used is The Dartmouth Assessment of Lifestyle Instrument (DALI), and the strategies incorporate casting a wide net, helping to explore the past drug abuse, lab testing, and screening all clients” (Mueser, K.T., Noordsy, D. L, Robert, D.E., & Fox, L., 2003, p.51). The second step classification

Assessing those who have an addiction can be cumbersome. Understanding and knowing which assessment tool would be the most useful when it comes to things like type of substance and the type of individual you’re dealing with is important, especially if you want the outcome to be successful. If the assessment tool is too long or difficult to understand the client may become discouraged or agitated, which will lead to refusal to participate. In this paper, tools like the clinical interview, and other assessment instruments that are proven to be useful when assessing those with an addiction will be discussed. It’s not only important to choose the right instrument when assessing those with addiction, but following the proper steps is key when recognizing

The client, Maria received a score of nineteen on her Alcohol Screening Questionnaire (AUDIT). Maria’s score can be interpreted as being in zone three which is considered harmful. The appropriate action for the aforementioned zone is a brief intervention or referral to specialized treatment. The intervention process is a procedure that is used to highlight how problematic alcohol use can be in one’s life. After the client and social worker’s realization of the frequency and seriousness of the patient’s alcohol use, it is advantageous to formulate a plan to lessen alcohol usage. Motivational Interviewing is a method that can be used in counseling sessions which encourages the client to become a motivated participator of change by identifying, exploring, and resolving he or she’s ambivalence towards their damaging behavior [PowerPoint Slides]. MI is collaborative and client-centered thus the patient can contribute to their planned change process. The process of MI involves appealing to, concentrating on, evoking, and lastly, planning with the patient. Subsequent steps of MI are reflection, summarization, and exploring inconsistencies [PowerPoint Slides]. Shifting gears,

H., & Driessen, M. (1997). A New Rating Scale for the Assessment of the Alcohol-Withdrawal Syndrome (Aws Scale). Retrieved from

This alcohol and drug counselor-training course provides an introductory learning experience in substance abuse counseling, promoting professional development and growth. You will gain an overview knowledge in all areas of addiction treatment as it relates to the causes and consequences of addition as they relate to the effects on the individual, family, community, and society. Other material address the challenges faced in intervention, treatment, education, and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse. Required competencies and guidelines are covered for those who are seeking licensures within the state of Texas.

When assessing personality and behaviors within a study the use of psychological assessment is necessary that assists the psychologist to reach a hypothesis. When dealing with substance use/ addiction psychological assessment can test and use many different techniques in order to gage where the client stands within their addiction. Testing severity, drug history, and more are observed in addiction psychological testing. It can help with creating treatment plans and methods during the intake process. Psychological testing can and does create hits, misses, false positive errors, and false negative errors; all four will be discussed as it relates to the psychological assessment chosen. The psychological assessment that I will be explaining is

General: General and specific guides to detection of alcohol and drug use, and definition of addiction.