Are you facing legal charges due to alcohol or drug use? Or perhaps consequences at work or school? You may be asked to complete an alcohol or drug assessment. 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 alcohol and drug assessment. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG ASSESSMENT?
The purpose is for an independent evaluator to learn more about what you were using, 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 alcohol and/or drug use, including legal issues, employment problems, and relationship problems.
The goal is to not only understand what chemicals you were using and how much, but also the context of your using - how your use did or did not impact your life.
WHY DO I NEED TO COMPLETE AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG ASSESSMENT?
Typically alcohol and drug 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 alcohol and/or drug use.
