Youth Chemical Dependency Assessments
The Chemical Dependency Assessment or Alcohol and Drug Evaluation is the first step in the treatment process. An individual accessing treatment must have an assessment to determine proper level of care and determine a diagnosis.
The initial part of the assessment consists of written testing materials that are completed by the youth, these include, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI). Scoring on these tests help to determine substance abuse, substance dependence, youth defensiveness, family history of substance use disorders, and the youths readiness to change substance abuse.
The parent or guardian of the youth is also given a survey packet to aid in the counselor developing insight into the youths behaviors and patterns at home and school. The parent or guardian is required to be present at the time of assessment to provide this paperwork and conduct an interview with the counselor.
The counselor will meet individually with the youth to conduct a comprehensive bio-psycho-social interview using the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DMS-IV TR) criteria for substance abuse or dependence. This interview is very extensive covering the following pertaining to the youth:
- Acute Intoxication and/or withdrawal potentail/risk
- Biomedical Conditions and/or Complications
- Emotional/Behavioral/Cognitive Conditions and/or Complications
- Readiness to Change
- Relapse or Continued use Potential
- Recovery Environment
- Urinalysis Testing
Using this information along with collaterial information gathered from interviews with family, school staff, probation officers, and other concerned persons in the youths life the counselor determines an accurate diagnosis of the youths substance abuse and outlines appropriate treatment recommendations.
*This process can be lenthy given the type and amount of information needed. Please allow up to three hours for this appointment.
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