A substance abuse assessment evaluates an individual’s social, emotional, and behavioural functioning as they pertain to substance abuse and/or addiction. It may also include measures of behavioural functioning, personality, and screening tools for several other disorders depending on the referral and assessment purpose.

The information gathered during the assessment may lead to diagnoses for substance use-related disorders and/or other comorbid disorders. The assessment may also not lead to a diagnosis. Even if a diagnosis is not made, the information gathered can be helpful.

Substance abuse and co-occurring conditions can impact an individual’s ability to live a healthy life in many ways. A substance abuse assessment provides insight on an addiction, it’s extent, and co-occurring conditions. This can help formulate an appropriate treatment plan or make other recommendations. It can also assess if current treatment has been effective, if further treatment is required, and any adaptations that need to be made to the current treatment regimen.

Employers, other treatment professionals, probation officers, child and family services, and/or courts may also request a substance abuse assessment. Thus, this assessment can aid with those purposes too.

The assessment may include a combination of clinical interviews, rating scales, cognitive evaluation, psychometric testing, and more. At the end of the assessment, the psychologist will provide you with a report. When you receive your report, your psychologist will discuss your individualized results and recommendations with you. You will be able to ask any questions you have at this time.