Steps of Addictions Assessment
Even though ideally, information about the client is to be continuously collected and revised, there are twelve traditional addictions assessment processes. These twelve steps are suggested by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2013) and should be used by all addictions professionals in the US as guidelines. The first step is engaging the client, which is crucial for establishing contact. The second stage is identifying and contacting friends and family members to gather additional information. After that therapists are to start screening to detect co-occurring disorders (COD), such as mental problems or traumas. The fourth step is determining the quadrant and locus of responsibility by identifying the severity of psychiatric and substance use disorders. The fifth stage is evaluating the level of required care by considering six dimensions of assessment. This endeavor is crucial for using adequate resources for the best patient outcome. The sixth step is making a diagnosis, which is essential for elaborating a treatment plan. The first four stages are designed to assist in making the correct diagnosis and determining the level of care to ensure further rehabilitation of the client.
The following five steps lead to the final phase of planning treatment. The seventh step is determining disabilities and functional impairment, which “contributes to the identification of the need for case management and/or higher levels of support” (SAMHSA, 2013, p. 89). During the eighth stage, addictions professionals should identify strengths and supports of their patient since it provides a positive approach to treatment. The ninth step allows therapists to assess any particular cultural or linguistic needs to overcome cultural or language barriers if there are any. The tenth step is identifying problem domains, such as legal, vocational, or social issues. This stage helps to appreciate how COD affects a patient’s life. The eleventh step is evaluating the stage of change by reviewing all the disorders separately. This endeavor helps to understand the focus of future treatment. The final step is elaborating an optimal treatment plan to ensure a patient’s rehabilitation. Even though the twelve steps described above take much time to go through, they are crucial to improving patient outcomes.
Multidisciplinary Assessment Teams
Addictions are often accompanied by other issues, such as physical traumas and mental problems. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team is suggested to be used for assessing and treating addictions (SAMHSA, 2013). Goodman, Milliken, Theiler, Nordstrom, and Akerman (2015) describe a case of a pregnant woman suffering from opioid withdrawal and the consequences of an abusive relationship. Apart from addiction problems, she had a history of pregnancy loss, childhood sexual trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A multidisciplinary team, consisting of addiction specialists, a psychiatrist, a social worker, a physician, and an obstetrician, was involved to ensure the best patient outcome.
All the members of the team made their contribution to the assessment of the patient’s condition. The physician evaluated her physical state and made sure there were no traumas from being hit by the patient’s significant other. The psychiatrist attended to the PTSD and mental issues of the patient and elaborated a treatment plan for this aspect. The obstetrician evaluated the baby’s condition and made suggestions on how to minimize harm to the fetus. The social worker assessed the implications of the patient’s homelessness and assisted in finding a place to stay. Finally, the addictions professional determined the change stage and proposed a treatment plan for opioid dependency. In short, the multidisciplinary team was effectively coordinated to help the patient recover from a complex condition.
References
Goodman, D., Milliken, C., Theiler, R., Nordstrom, B., & Akerman, S. (2015). A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of co-occurring opioid use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in pregnancy: A case report. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 11(3-4), 248-257. Web.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders. Web.