Key Areas of Assessment

  • βœ… Type of Substance: Alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, etc.
    πŸ’‘ Knowing the specific substance helps tailor interventions and understand the risk profile and potential health complications.
  • βœ… Frequency & Amount: Daily, weekly, occasional use; quantity per use session.
    πŸ’‘ Frequency and amount indicate the severity of use, risk of dependence, and potential impact on health and daily functioning.
  • βœ… Route of Administration: Oral, smoking, injection, snorting, transdermal.
    πŸ’‘ The route affects absorption speed, overdose risk, and potential for infections or tissue damage.
  • βœ… Duration of Use: Recent onset vs. long-term use history.
    πŸ’‘ Duration provides insight into chronicity, dependence patterns, and associated long-term health risks.
  • βœ… Tolerance & Dependence: Increased quantity needed, withdrawal symptoms.
    πŸ’‘ Tolerance and dependence indicate physiological adaptation and potential for severe withdrawal, guiding treatment urgency.
  • βœ… Cravings & Triggers: Emotional, environmental, social influences.
    πŸ’‘ Identifying cravings and triggers aids in developing targeted behavioral interventions and relapse prevention strategies.
  • βœ… Periods of Abstinence & Relapse History: Length of sobriety, relapse patterns.
    πŸ’‘ Understanding past abstinence and relapse patterns informs prognosis and supports sustained recovery efforts.
  • βœ… Impact on Daily Life: Relationships, work, health, legal, financial consequences.
    πŸ’‘ Assessing the broader impact helps determine the need for comprehensive support and tailored intervention strategies.
  • βœ… Co-Use & Polydrug Use: Combining substances, interactions, overdose risk.
    πŸ’‘ Co-use increases treatment complexity and heightens the risk of adverse interactions and overdose.
  • βœ… Previous Treatment Attempts: Detox, rehab, harm reduction strategies.
    πŸ’‘ Past treatment efforts help guide current interventions and identify effective strategies for recovery.

Assessment Prompts & Questions

  • β€œCan you tell me about your current substance use? What are you using, and how often?”
  • β€œHow has your substance use changed over time?”
  • β€œDo you ever feel like you need to use more to get the same effect?”
  • β€œHave you experienced any withdrawal symptoms when you stop using?”
  • β€œAre there certain situations or emotions that lead you to use?”
  • β€œHave you tried cutting down or stopping before? What happened?”
  • β€œHow does substance use impact your daily life, relationships, or work?”
  • β€œDo you mix different substances? If so, which ones and how often?”

Risk Assessment & Harm Reduction Strategies

🚨 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.

πŸ›‘ 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).