I Need a Drug and Alcohol Assessment. What Should I Expect?

There are two types of assessments for substance use disorders: formal and informal.

Formal assessment (2 hours)

You will spend approximately 30 minutes completing the SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory). This is a self-administered screening that helps identify a high or low probability of dependence. Because the SASSI is only about 94% accurate, you will also spend an hour completing a biopsychosocial interview with me. This is simply a series of questions about the psychological, biological and social factors that can contribute to substance use. In the final half hour, we will discuss the findings and my recommendations.

A complete written assessment and treatment recommendation for legal purposes takes an additional 2 hours to prepare and is billed accordingly.

For an additional charge, I am available to appear in court to give my professional recommendations.

Informal assessment (1.5 hours)

An informal assessment is more of a dialogue, and many of the same questions will be asked. The focus is less on a professional diagnosis and more on you and where you are in the Stages of Change:

1. Pre-contemplation: early stage; denial that there is a problem.
2. Contemplation: considering the benefits of change, but with mixed feelings.
3. Preparation: beginning to make small changes and collecting information about change.
4. Action: taking direct action to accomplish goals.
5. Maintenance: successfully avoiding past behaviors and sustaining new ones.

Regardless of where you are in the Stages of Change, I can help. See assessment details and fees.