If you struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, you are not alone. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), “21.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.”[1]
When you regularly abuse a substance, your brain and body grow dependent on it. As a result, you are at risk of developing a substance use disorder. It can be difficult to spot the signs of addiction in yourself, especially due to the way drugs can affect your thinking and behavioral patterns.
The best way to determine if you are struggling with an addiction is to receive a substance abuse evaluation. These diagnostic tools can help professionals decide whether you have a substance use disorder and create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.
You can receive a substance abuse evaluation in a few different places. For example, a primary care physician or doctor, a therapist, a psychiatrist, and an addiction specialist at a rehab program can all conduct these assessments. If you are looking for a substance abuse assessment in Lantana, Archstone Behavioral Health is here to help.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a drug and alcohol assessment?
- Where can you receive a substance abuse evaluation in Lantana?
- What signs indicate that you need an addiction assessment?
What is a Substance Abuse Evaluation?
Health professionals and certified addiction professionals use substance abuse evaluations to determine if you have a substance use disorder. These tools can also help them figure out the severity of your addiction, decide what types of treatment you need, and find out if you have co-occurring health issues like a mental illness.
The main purposes of substance abuse assessments include:
- Diagnosing substance use disorder
- Assessing the severity of your addiction
- Figuring out if you have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder
- Evaluating your family’s history of mental illness and addiction
- Determining if you need specialized care like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or dual diagnosis services
- Allowing your treatment team to create an individualized treatment plan that includes medical detox, behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention
Every addiction treatment program begins the process with a substance abuse assessment. That said, you do not have to be in a drug and alcohol treatment facility to receive one. They can be conducted by doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, and addiction counselors.
Where to Get a Substance Abuse Assessment in Lantana
If your drug and alcohol abuse has become more frequent, you are probably concerned about addiction. The best way to tell if you need help for substance abuse is to receive an addiction assessment. You can be evaluated in several places, including within a program like Archstone Behavioral Health.
The main places you can receive a substance abuse evaluation include:
- Doctor’s Offices- If you have a primary care physician that you trust, you can ask them to complete an addiction assessment. If they determine that you have a substance use disorder, they can refer you to a reputable rehab center in your area.
- Therapist Sessions- Therapists are also qualified to assess you for substance use disorders. If you have a therapist, they might already know about your drug and alcohol use. They can complete an evaluation and refer you to a treatment program that suits your needs.
- Psychiatrist Appointments- Psychiatrists are there to diagnose you with mental health conditions and provide medications. Because addiction is considered a mental health condition, these professionals can offer you an assessment to determine if you have one.
- Addiction Treatment Centers- Whether you attend medical detox, inpatient rehab, or an outpatient program, treatment will begin with a substance abuse evaluation. This helps the addiction experts create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Signs That You Need a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation
Anyone struggling with alcohol or drug abuse should be assessed for addiction. This process lets you know whether you need to attend professional treatment and what type of program is best suited to your needs.
Some of the signs that you need a substance abuse evaluation include:
- Using drugs for longer or more than you intended to
- Wanting to quit abusing substances but being unsuccessful
- Spending a lot of time obtaining or using drugs
- Experiencing cravings or urges to abuse substances
- Failing to meet responsibilities at home, work, or school due to substance use
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities to have more time to use drugs
- Continuing to use substances despite facing social, physical health, or mental health issues
- Using drugs in risky situations, such as while driving
- Having to increase the dose of drugs or alcohol to experience the desired effect
- Suffering from withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a substance
If you experience 2 or more of the mentioned symptoms, you qualify for having a substance use disorder. In other words, you should receive a formal assessment to get you connected with the help you need.
Get a Substance Abuse Assessment in Lantana, Florida
Even short-term substance abuse can lead to an addiction. If you are struggling with a substance use disorder, you should seek help from an addiction treatment center. At Archstone Behavioral Health, we use a combination of evidence-based and compassionate care.
Each of our programs starts with a substance abuse assessment. This helps us determine what treatment methods and health services you might need to recover.
Contact us today to receive a substance abuse evaluation and begin recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
References:
- The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS): Drug Abuse Statistics
