Key Areas of Assessment
- β
Type of Substance: Alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, etc.
π‘ Knowing the specific substance helps tailor interventions and understand the risk profile and potential health complications. -
β
Frequency & Amount: Daily, weekly, occasional use; quantity per use session.
π‘ Frequency and amount indicate the severity of use, risk of dependence, and potential impact on health and daily functioning. - β
Route of Administration: Oral, smoking, injection, snorting, transdermal.
π‘ The route affects absorption speed, overdose risk, and potential for infections or tissue damage. -
β
Duration of Use: Recent onset vs. long-term use history.
π‘ Duration provides insight into chronicity, dependence patterns, and associated long-term health risks. -
β
Tolerance & Dependence: Increased quantity needed, withdrawal symptoms.
π‘ Tolerance and dependence indicate physiological adaptation and potential for severe withdrawal, guiding treatment urgency. -
β
Cravings & Triggers: Emotional, environmental, social influences.
π‘ Identifying cravings and triggers aids in developing targeted behavioral interventions and relapse prevention strategies. -
β
Periods of Abstinence & Relapse History: Length of sobriety, relapse patterns.
π‘ Understanding past abstinence and relapse patterns informs prognosis and supports sustained recovery efforts. -
β
Impact on Daily Life: Relationships, work, health, legal, financial consequences.
π‘ Assessing the broader impact helps determine the need for comprehensive support and tailored intervention strategies. -
β
Co-Use & Polydrug Use: Combining substances, interactions, overdose risk.
π‘ Co-use increases treatment complexity and heightens the risk of adverse interactions and overdose. - β
Previous Treatment Attempts: Detox, rehab, harm reduction strategies.
π‘ Past treatment efforts help guide current interventions and identify effective strategies for recovery.
Assessment Prompts & Questions
- βCan you tell me about your current substance use? What are you using, and how often?β
- βHow has your substance use changed over time?β
- βDo you ever feel like you need to use more to get the same effect?β
- βHave you experienced any withdrawal symptoms when you stop using?β
- βAre there certain situations or emotions that lead you to use?β
- βHave you tried cutting down or stopping before? What happened?β
- βHow does substance use impact your daily life, relationships, or work?β
- βDo you mix different substances? If so, which ones and how often?β
Risk Assessment & Harm Reduction Strategies
π¨ High-Risk Indicators:
- Signs of overdose risk (e.g., extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, confusion).
- IV drug use without sterile equipment, increased risk of infections (HIV, Hep C).
- Dependence with severe withdrawal risks (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids).
- Blackouts, memory loss, severe intoxication episodes.
π Harm Reduction Steps:
- Encourage safer use strategies (clean equipment, spacing out doses).
- Provide overdose prevention education and access to Naloxone.
- Support gradual reduction plans or detox referrals.
- Explore coping alternatives for cravings and triggers.
- Engage in multi-agency support (medical, mental health, social services).