Drug or Substance Use Assessment

What is a substance use risk assessment?

A substance use risk assessment is used to determine the level of addiction or problematic use of alcohol and/or drugs (recreational or prescribed).

Why is the assessment used?

There are several circumstances when a substance use risk assessment is used:

An employer will order an employee to undergo a substance use risk assessment if they’ve failed a drug test, have been under the influence at work or are suspected of using.
Individuals can undergo an assessment if they are concerned about their substance use.
Parents may have one completed for their teenage children if they are concerned about or suspect substance use.
Parents may be asked to complete an assessment if they are involved with Children and Family Services or as part of an adoption or foster parent process.
Assessments may be mandated by the Court.

The Assessment Process

What to expect for a substance use risk assessments:

You’ll meet with the therapist so they can meet you, gather your background history and obtain other relevant information.
You will complete some tests – they may be an interview format, written tests or online – or a combination of all 3 methods.
Your therapist will prepare a report after analyzing the test results.
There is usually a debrief with the therapist to go over the assessment.

In addition to determining the risk of substance use, therapists may also make recommendations about treating the cause if a dependence or problematic use is determined.

If required, Insight can work collaboratively with other medical and health care professionals in the assessment process.

Depending on the scope of the assessment, the entire process can range from a few hours up to 6 hours.

Please contact us to learn more about substance use risk assessments.