how to conduct an evaluation of a chemical dependency treatment center

What is a chemical dependency evaluation?

The chemical dependency (CD) evaluation is a structured interview to determine if a person has a diagnosable alcohol or drug use disorder. It is used in the state of Minnesota by drug treatment centers, district courts (often court-ordered), probation agencies, and employers.

Court ordered chemical dependency evaluations

When a CD evaluation is court ordered, the stakes are incredibly high. The person being assessed will be asked to provide the results and recommendations to court-related parties. The judge and prosecutor will generally set the condition that a person follow each and every recommendation made on the evaluation during criminal court proceedings.

What questions are asked during the evaluation?

During the interview, the person being evaluated will be asked a wide rang of questions on day-to-day life, health, background information, and past/current substance use or abuse. Of focus will be questions on the eleven symptoms people with addictive disorders experience.

What to expect the day of the appointment?

When you arrive, you can expect to complete some intake paperwork. A notice of privacy practices will be provided that provides a clear explanation of client rights and how personal health information is used. Forms will need to be signed consenting to the assessment process and the involvement of third parties.

How to pass a chemical dependency evaluation?

One of the most common concerns is that a person will be misdiagnosed and/or asked to complete treatment when disinterested in alcohol or drug counseling. Feeling “forced” into treatment can cause negative emotions. Two things are very important to have a good experience at the evaluation.

What is the WHO quality of life assessment?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Assessment is and does exactly what it says: it is an exhaustive quality of life mental health assessment that has been developed to be used across many different cross-cultural settings.

What is the ASI?

The ASI is an exhaustive, 15-page interview-style document comprised of a psycho-social history and a physiological medical history. There is also a detailed section on criminal history, which may be a turnoff to some patients but can be handy for practitioners working with incarcerated patients or those trying to assess the level of risk for violent or inappropriate behavior.

What is a TEA?

The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA) is perhaps the most suitable and widely adopted tool in the modern chemical-dependency idiom. This tool was created in 2012 in response to the aforementioned long-form assessments that did not necessarily meet the specific needs of the chemically dependent patient population.

Definition - What does Chemical Dependency Evaluation mean?

A chemical dependency evaluation (also known as chemical dependency assessment) is a test done by a state certified agency, assessing if an individual has an addiction or strong dependency to illegal substances, drugs, or alcohol.

How it Works

An in-person, face-to-face interview is necessary and required by state law for a chemical dependency evaluation. The certified interviewer may conduct diagnostic tests like a MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) or even a DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test).

Levels of Care for Chemical Dependency

If the interviewer finds the subject is indeed chemically dependent, there are multiple methods of care for the individual that could cater to their needs. These include:

Is addiction a reward system?

Addiction is not just the consuming of a substance. It becomes a complete hijacking of a human being’s reward system for life. As a person becomes more invested in getting drunk/high, their interest in getting rewards from other aspects of life (work, relationships, hobbies) shrinks.

What is the medical term for how the body adjusts to chronic substance use?

Tolerance is the medical term that describes how the body adjusts to chronic substance use. Slowly, the body stops producing the chemical that the substance provides. The body depends on the alcohol or drugs and adjusts. Over time, the body needs more of substance to produce the same effect so the person ingests more.

Is alcoholism a disease?

There is a lot of misinformation about alcoholism and drug addiction in our society. It is common for people to think that an alcoholic is someone who lives in the street constantly drinking. There is a lot of variation amongst people who abuse substances. Addiction is thought of as a disease because it mirrors a lot of the properties ...

What is the DSM-5?

While there are extreme forms of chemical dependency that lead to the loss of everything, the American Psychiatric Association’s manual, the DSM-5, quantifies symptoms in gradients of mild, moderate, and severe for Alcohol Use Disorder. Like us if you are enjoying this content.

What part of the brain is affected by alcohol?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that directly crosses the blood/brain barrier, affecting a person’s ability to think when drunk. The prefrontal cortex is the part of our brain associated with thinking, planning, and judgment. When drunk, it is like putting the “good judgement” part of our brain to sleep.

What is withdrawal from alcohol?

Withdrawal is the process the body goes through when it is used to daily consumption of alcohol (or some drugs) and then the person stops drinking. The person’s nervous system is physically dependent on alcohol for functioning and without it there is not time to switch back to normal bodily processes.

Does alcohol affect the nervous system?

The person’s nervous system is physically dependent on alcohol for functioning and without it there is not time to switch back to normal bodily processes. Alcohol affects a neurotransmitter in the brain called “GABA.”. GABA is like the brakes of the brain. It slows brain signals down and is associated with relaxation.

What is outcome evaluation?

Outcome evaluations measure how clients and their circumstances change following participation in treatment and/or rehabilitation, and whether the treatment experience has been a factor in causing this change (World Health Organization, Workbook 7, 2000).

What is moving forward in Spain?

treatment centre in Spain is planning to implement an evidence-based model for adults who are using cocaine and other stimulants. The programme is called “Moving Forward.” The centre staff decided to use the Matrix curriculum (see www.matrixinstitute.org) and complement it with additional harm reduction components and services provided by the centre. This curriculum has not been used in Spain previously, so the centre decided to evaluate the programme implementation and effectiveness from its inception. Programme designers decided that they cannot count on pre-existing resources to properly implement and evaluate the programme and therefore requested additional funding from their local government. They prepared a detailed description in writing and a visual representation of the programme (see “Sample Programme Visual: ‘Moving Forward’” ) to use in presentations and meetings. This visual representation helped the funding sources to quickly understand the programme components, how the centre will achieve its short- and long-term goals, and the logic of the programme and the resources needed.

What are qualitative and quantitative measures?

Qualitative measures are extremely helpful to initially explore the situation of the program, provide a context for quantitative data, and get staff involved in the evaluation process. Qualitative measures include examination of routine records; observations of participants, situations, events, etc.; and interviews and focus groups (structured, semi-structured, or unstructured). Quantitative data can be collected using questionnaires, scales, tests, etc. Some of these measures are explained below.

What is observation in qualitative research?

Observation is one of the essential methods of qualitative research. It consists of looking in a focused way. Observations may be used to study people in different settings (natural environment, therapy, behaviour with family members, etc.). You may also use self-observation methods with program clients. For instance, a functional analysis (see Volume B, Module 3) involves a client recording his or her own problematic behaviour and the situation surrounding that behaviour. Observations usually include the following: (1) becoming immersed in the field (natural environment, therapeutic environment, etc.) for an extended period of time, (2) participating in various ways and degrees (from observing only to intervening in different degrees), (3) observing with a focus (e.g., a particular behaviour), (4) taking notes about what is being observed, (5) conducting informal and, sometimes, formal interviews, (6) analyzing notes, and (7) writing up an analysis, often in the form of a story or extended narrative. (Estenberg, K.G. [2002]. Qualitative Methods in Social Research. McGraw Hill.)

What is outcome measure?

Outcome measures (or indicators) are measurable pieces of information that indicate whether a programme is achieving its objectives. Our example of a sustainable livelihoods programme is aimed at assisting clients to develop the support they need to sustain recovery in the community. Evaluation, in this case, therefore entails a measure of the extent to which the programme has contributed towards supporting recovery in the community. Outcome measures should be chosen to reflect how well clients have been able to sustain their recovery after treatment.

What is addiction severity index?

The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a semi-structured interview designed to collect important information about aspects of a client’s life that might have contributed to their psychoactive substance use. The interview takes about an hour and covers seven potential problem areas or domains, namely:

How many questions are asked in WHOQOL-BREF?

The WHOQOL-BREF is a 26-item questionnaire designed to enable health professionals to assess changes in quality of life over the course of treatment. The 26 questions cover four main domains:

What is substance abuse evaluation?

A substance abuse evaluation is a clinical tool to determine what is going on with a person who may be struggling with addiction. Additionally, an evaluation may include questions that can identify any coexisting conditions that need co-occurring disorder treatment, such as a mental health disorder or physical health issue.

What is the first step in recovery?

The first step toward a successful recovery is recognition of a problem. When someone begins engaging in drug-seeking behaviors that threaten their health or well-being, it’s time for them to seek help. Sometimes it takes an intervention or a court mandate to motivate someone suffering from an addiction. Regardless of the medium, this person will ...

What is a screening for substance abuse?

Screening is an initial evaluation that assists with a professional determining if the person’s current situation requires further action. This is a key element of the assessment, as it can lead to proactive care methods that could prevent the substance abuse disorder from progressing further.

What is an assessment for substance use disorder?

Assessment For Substance Use Disorders. Assessments are a more in-depth evaluation of a person’s issues with addiction. Assessments identify patterns around someone’s substance-related behaviors, in order to find specific evidence of possible addiction and to make a diagnosis. Typically, a diagnostic interview will occur, ...

What is an assessment in addiction?

Assessments are a more in-depth evaluation of a person’s issues with addiction. Assessments identify patterns around someone’s substance-related behaviors, in order to find specific evidence of possible addiction and to make a diagnosis. Typically, a diagnostic interview will occur, wherein the interviewer asks questions related to ...

What is a diagnostic interview?

Typically, a diagnostic interview will occur, wherein the interviewer asks questions related to the screening in order to draw a clear picture of the individual’s substance use. This can be achieved through two approaches, either a structured interview or a semi-structured interview.

What is semi structured interview?

In a semi-structured interview, an expert in the field of psychology or addiction asks similarly structured questions but is also permitted to add questions based on their professional knowledge. This often results in a more detailed representation of a person’s drug or alcohol use.

What is a psychiatric evaluation?

A psychiatric evaluation may include a review of presenting problems, reason for seeking treatment, symptomatology, mental health history, treatment history, mental status exam, safety screener and more. The psychiatric professional assigned to the evaluation will also examine the admission diagnosis and provide relevant treatment plan ...

What is clinical assessment?

Clinical assessment or problems including patient’s motivation for treatment and understanding of the problem and goals of recovery, recommendations, interventions and approaches to the problem (s) while in treatment.

What is RCA in recovery?

Recovery Centers of America (RCA) believes that the most effective addiction and mental health treatment comes from a custom tailored clinical approach to each patient. That’s why from your very first contact with us, our team will begin gathering and analyzing key information about you and your situation to determine how we can best help you as a unique individual. Our expert nursing and medical staff are there to ensure that every moment of your treatment is safe and comfortable.

What is RCA treatment?

Patients admitted to residential addiction treatment at Recovery Centers of America (RCA) receive one or more medical evaluations completed by licensed medical practitioners for the purposes of examining physical health, identifying any medical problems and determining the need for medications. Certain medical evaluations such as the vital sign assessment (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiration Rate, Temperature, SAO2 and Neurocheck if ordered) and others if deemed necessary by our expert medical staff may continue at regular intervals throughout the patients stay. RCA is committed to providing safe and effective monitoring of health status while promoting wellness and holistic care for all of our patients.

What is biopsychosocial assessment?

One of the most important clinical assessments performed is the “Biopsychosocial”, it is the foundation for developing each patient’s individualized treatment plan. The Biopsychosocial Assessment is very comprehensive and typically consists of:

What are spiritual needs?

Spiritual Needs. Recreational activities, and how they may play into the recovery process. Clinical assessment or problems including patient’s motivation for treatment and understanding of the problem and goals of recovery, recommendations, interventions and approaches to the problem (s) while in treatment.

What is RCA medical?

RCA is committed to providing safe and effective monitoring of health status while promoting wellness and holistic care for all of our patients. Medical evaluations may consist of: Review of Biological Systems (HEENT, neck heart/lungs, abdomen, extremities, and neurological)

What is a chemical assessment?

A chemical assessment – dial 612.474.4100 to schedule a private assessment - evaluates a person’s alcohol and/or drug. The assessment serves two primary purposes. First, the assessment is used to diagnose substance use disorders. Second, it is used to help people seeking help get admitted into addiction treatment.

What is the purpose of a substance use assessment?

The assessment serves two primary purposes. First, the assessment is used to diagnose substance use disorders. Second, it is used to help people seeking help get admitted into addiction treatment. During the assessment, a person will meet with a state licensed psychotherapist who is specially trained to conduct the test.

Existing Models of Evaluation

The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Assessment

The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment

• The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA)is perhaps the most suitable and widely adopted tool in the modern chemical-dependency idiom. This tool was created in 2012 in response to the aforementioned long-form assessments that did not necessarily meet the specific needs of the chemically dependent patient population. The TEA, more than any other ...

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