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 in SUD Treatment
~ 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