Are you facing legal charges due to alcohol or drug use? Or perhaps consequences at work or school due to a court proceeding? You may be asked to complete an assessment to be used in court by your lawyer.

 

Sorting through what needs to be done when facing potentially serious consequences can be overwhelming and stressful. It is natural to have questions about what to expect if you need to complete an assessment. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

 

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ASSESSMENT?

An assessment may be referred to as a drug or alcohol evaluation, chemical health assessment, Rule 25 assessment, or a CD evaluation. The purpose is for an independent evaluator to learn more about the circumstances of your problem or arrest, the impact that it had on your life, and how this in turn impacted your relationships, work, family life, school, and general well being.

 

WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS WILL I BE ASKED DURING AN ASSESSMENT?

An assessment gathers information about your history of using alcohol and/or drugs, previous alcohol and drug treatment you may have had, your risk of future problem use, significant medical concerns, mental health concerns, sources of support and resources to help you in making positive life changes, your living environment, and the consequences from your actions, including legal issues, employment problems, and relationship problems. The goal is to not only understand what happened to arrive at this point, but also the context of your actions - how this did or did not impact your life.

 

WHY DO I NEED TO COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT?

Typically assessments are requested by lawyers, the courts, employers, schools, or family members. Usually something has happened – an accident, a legal charge, poor performance, or changes in behavior – that have prompted someone to express concerns about your well-being.

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR COMPLETING AN ASSESSMENT?

The process begins with a call or email to determine the court’s due date of your assessment and to set up an appointment. Your face-to-face appointment will be an interview lasting 1 1/2 to 2 hours. During this time any questions regarding the information needed will be clarified, and we will further explore the context of your event and the impact it has had on your life.

 

At the completion of your assessment, I detailed report will be written and submitted to your counsel. Based on what is learned, recommendations are made, if appropriate, to address any concerns.

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT MIGHT BE MADE?

Recommendations are based on what is clinically appropriate to address related to your event. These recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

 

• No treatment, if no issues are present
• Alcohol or drug education classes
• Outpatient substance abuse treatment
• Residential substance abuse treatment
• Individual counseling
• Couple or family counseling
• Medication management

 

DO I NEED TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS?

The recommendations made are just that – recommendations – based on clinical experience to address issues related to your issues. Sometimes people are not able or willing to follow these recommendations due to finances, time, interest, or other circumstances. You will need to decide what you are willing and able to do. Sometimes a third party – such as the courts, a lawyer, or family member – may request that the recommendations be followed. If this applies to your situation, you will need to speak directly to the third party to discuss the potential outcomes of whether or not you follow the recommendations.

 

WHO WILL FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF MY ASSESSMENT?

The results of your assessment will be shared with your counsel. A written report will be created that details the information shared in the process of your assessment, as well as the outcome and your recommendations. This assessment can be sent to any party you wish, as long as you have signed a release of information allowing for it. I do not work with insurance companies, and as such, your assessment will not be a part of your medical record unless you choose to provide it.

 

HOW MUCH DOES AN ASSESSMENT COST?

A standard assessment is $250 and includes:

• A comprehensive 1 1/2 to 2 hour face-to-face assessment
• Screenings for mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression
• A follow-up report detailing the results of the assessment and recommendations