What Happens During a Substance Use Assessment? A Quick Look
If you or someone you care about is thinking about getting help for alcohol or drug addiction, knowing what to expect can make it easier to take the first step. In this guide, the experts at MERIT explain what happens during a substance use assessment and why it is an important part of the treatment process.
What is a Substance Use Assessment?
Despite what the name might suggest, a substance use assessment isn’t graded, has nothing to do with passing or failing, and nobody is there to judge you or your responses. This process is simply a conversation between you and a licensed counselor that helps them understand your history, what you are going through, and what you would like to achieve. Everything you share stays confidential and goes directly into the insights used to build your treatment and recovery plan.
Questions You May Be Asked During a Substance Use Assessment
Your counselor will cover several key areas during your assessment. While it may feel like a lot of ground to cover, most people find the conversation more straightforward than they expected. Here is what happens during a substance use assessment:
- Your substance use history: Your counselor will ask what substances you use, how often, and for how long. This helps them understand where you are starting from and what level of care will best support your recovery.
- How substances have impacted your life: Your counselor will ask how substance use has affected your relationships, work, daily routines, and physical health. This information helps them build a recovery plan that gets you back to where you want to be.
- Your mental health: You will discuss whether feelings of anxiety, depression, or trauma contribute to your substance use. Mental health struggles and addiction frequently fuel each other, and when both are present, clinicians call them a co-occurring disorder. Identifying this relationship early can lead to more effective and lasting treatment.
- Your living situation and support system: Your counselor may ask about your household and the people in your life. Stress at home, unstable living conditions, or a lack of support can all affect recovery, and understanding your situation helps your counselor build a plan that works for your life outside of treatment.
- Safety concerns: You will discuss your withdrawal history and the substances you currently use. Stopping substances like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines without medical supervision can pose serious health risks, and understanding that history helps your counselor determine the safest way to begin treatment.
Why are Substance Use Assessments Important?
A substance use assessment gives your counselor the information they need to recommend the right level of care for your situation. Without it, there is no reliable way to know whether outpatient counseling, an intensive program, or medical detox is the right starting point. Beginning treatment without an assessment can slow your progress and prove medically dangerous.
What Happens After the Assessment and Intake Process?
Your counselor will review their findings with you and explain the level of care they recommend. If outpatient counseling is the right fit, you will discuss session frequency, what to expect in early treatment, and the structure of your recovery plan. If your situation requires a higher level of care, your counselor will explain why and help connect you with the right resources. Before you leave, you will have a clear understanding of your recommended level of care, your treatment options, and your next steps.
Leading Substance Use Treatment Provider in Central Washington
If you think you could benefit from a substance use assessment, the MERIT team is ready to help. Our licensed counselors work with individuals, teens, and families at every stage of recovery, offering evidence-based outpatient programs across seven locations in Central Washington. We also offer bilingual programs for Spanish-speaking clients. Our services include:
Call MERIT at 877-789-3344 to schedule a consultation with an addiction recovery specialist in Central Washington. Have more questions about what happens during a substance use assessment? Contact us online.
MERIT is a leading provider of behavioral health and substance abuse treatment programs in Ellensburg, Kennewick, Pasco, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, and Yakima.