for the Addiction Counselor Certification Exam

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, PhD, LPC-MHSP

Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox and Addiction Counselor Exam Review

12 Assessment Steps

~ Engage

~ Get authorizations and gather information from collateral sources

~ Screen for co-occurring disorders

~ Determine the severity of mental and SUDs

~ Determine appropriate level of care

~ Determine diagnoses

~ Determine disability and functional impairment

~ Identify strengths and supports

~ Identify cultural and linguistic needs and supports

~ Identify additional problem areas (medical, housing, education…)

~ Determine readiness for change

~ Plan treatment

Assessment

~ Screening determines the possible presence.

~ Assessment

~ Is an ongoing process

~ Determines the nature and severity

~ Develops specific treatment recommendations

~ Surveys client strengths and resources for addressing “life problems.” (wrap-around)

~ Substance Abuse Assessment Foci

~ Historical and situational factors contributing to or triggering use

~ Patterns of use

~ Common signs and symptoms

~ Consequences of use

Assessment

~ Examines the context(s) in which the disorder(s) manifest

~ Explores reciprocal interactions of…

~ Family/marital life

~ Social support/interpersonal functioning

~ Physical health needs

~ Spirituality

~ Employment

~ Financial issues

~ Legal issues

~ Other issues which may impact treatment (transportation, childcare)

~ Explores reciprocal interactions cont…

~ Gender, cultural, linguistic issues

~ Readiness for change

~ Relapse risk

~ Recovery support

~ Special life circumstances (single parent)

~ Medical conditions

~ Client centered—respecting

~ The client’s perceptions of his problems

~ Goals he wishes to accomplish

~ Strengths he has

Assessment Instruments

~ Forms

~ Standardized interviews

~ Limits interviewer to a script

~ Requires limited training

~ Collects the same information on all clients

~ Structured interviews

~ Probing questions can be asked

~ Requires additional training/knowledge

~ Self-administered tests/questionnaires

~ Require some motivation and reading ability on the client’s part

~ Standardized instruments have:

~ Reliability

~ Validity information

Assessments

~ Sources of information (with written consent)

~ Personal reports

~ Family

~ Other professionals/prior treatment experiences

~ May be the most objective resource

~ Employment history

~ Criminal records

~ Drug tests

~ Collateral information gathered should be confirmed to the extent possible

~ Accurate assessment requires the coherent integration of multiple sources of information to avoid under- or over-estimation of the problem.

~ Drug testing is

~ Part of the initial assessment

~ Used to identify drugs to make most appropriate treatment recommendations

~ Screen to prevent adverse effects of prescribed medications

~ Component of the treatment plan

~ Way to monitor use of substance and compliance with medications

~ Method to assess efficacy of treatment

~ Method to document abstinence for legal matters, disability, custody etc.

~ Drug testing cannot replace an assessment to diagnose a substance use disorder.

Drug Testing in SUD Treatment

~ Drug Testing

~ Can accurately reveal drugs in the system

~ Time frame for detection is limited

~ Dependable for identifying frequent users

~ Less accurate for infrequent or binge users

Types of Drug Tests

~ Breathalizer (hours)