Millions of people in the United States struggle with drug and alcohol misuse. When you abuse substances, you are likely to develop an addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people suffered from a substance use disorder in 2022.[1]
A professional rehab center must treat addiction. These programs offer the services you need to recover fully, like medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning. That said, the first step in treatment is assessing your needs.
When you begin a substance abuse treatment center, you will undergo an evaluation. Substance abuse assessments are designed to help professionals determine the severity of your addiction, how long you’ve been misusing substances, and what types of treatment will work best for you.
If you are wondering where you can receive a substance abuse evaluation in West Palm Beach, you’ve come to the right place. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer in-depth assessments at the beginning of our drug and alcohol rehab programs.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a substance abuse evaluation?
- Where can you find a substance abuse assessment in Palm Beach County?
- How should you prepare for a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation?
What is a Substance Abuse Assessment?
The very first thing you will do in an addiction treatment program is a substance abuse assessment. These evaluations are tools that licensed mental health professionals or social workers use to determine the extent of your substance abuse and how to proceed during treatment. Your assessment will help the staff members create an individualized treatment plan, ensuring you receive care that is relevant to your needs.
Substance abuse evaluations have many purposes, including:
- Determining if you suffer from alcohol or drug addiction
- Assessing the level or severity of your substance use disorder
- Determining if you have co-occurring conditions like mental health disorders, physical health conditions, or polysubstance abuse
- Assessing how your substance abuse has affected your life
- Allowing your treatment team to create an individualized treatment plan
A wide range of professionals are permitted to complete these evaluations, including doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. In the state of Florida, substance abuse assessments are a necessary tool during drug and alcohol rehab programs.
Where to Get a Substance Abuse Evaluation in West Palm Beach
If you are wondering whether you suffer from addiction, the best way to be sure is to receive an assessment.
There are many settings in which substance abuse evaluations are offered, including:
- Doctor’s offices – If you are unsure whether you are suffering from addiction, you can ask your primary care physician for a substance abuse evaluation.
- Therapist sessions – Therapists who specialize in substance abuse can provide you with an assessment to determine if you need professional treatment.
- Psychiatrist appointments – If you regularly see a psychiatrist, they are qualified to provide you with a substance abuse assessment.
- Drug and alcohol treatment centers – Before you begin any addiction treatment program in West Palm Beach, you will receive an in-depth substance abuse assessment to determine your needs.
While you can receive substance abuse assessments outside of a drug and alcohol rehab facility, these programs are the ideal setting to receive one. If you are concerned that you suffer from addiction, you would most likely benefit from professional rehab.
Thankfully, the Mandala Healing Center is here to offer substance abuse assessments to clients in the West Palm Beach area. We can provide you with an assessment before you commit to attending our program or on your first day attending our facility.
How to Prepare for a Substance Abuse Assessment
An assessment can take a couple of hours, as a team of mental health and addiction specialists take a comprehensive look at your history and situation. They will take time to learn about:
- Family history of drug or alcohol abuse
- The severity of your addiction like how much or how often you consume drugs and alcohol
- The impact that substance abuse has had on different areas of your life
- The age you first abused drugs or alcohol
- Whether you’ve attended any type of treatment in the past
- The presence of co-occurring physical or mental health conditions
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for the assessment, but if you’d like to, you can prepare by taking time to reflect on your substance abuse and journey with addiction. Ask yourself questions like when did my drug and alcohol use first start? Was there a trigger present before I engaged in substance abuse each time?
Doing a personal evaluation will help you have clear answers to present to the professional conducting your assessment.
Get a Substance Abuse Evaluation in West Palm Beach Today
If you or a loved one suffers from alcohol or drug abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer in-depth substance abuse evaluations to determine your treatment needs.
Contact us today for more information on our top-rated addiction treatment center.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data