Archive for the ‘Addiction Evaluation’ Category

To get a better understanding of what addiction evaluation really means, let’s get to know the definition of the two words. Addiction is defined historically as the physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, heroin and other drugs, which temporarily alter the chemical conditions of the brain.

It can be viewed as a continued use of a substance despite the negative consequences associated with it. Evaluation on the other hand is defined as the systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance of something, someone or action using criteria against a set of standards. Addiction Evaluation therefore is the systematic determination of the dependence of an individual on certain substance or activity that temporarily impairs the brain that can eventually bring negative consequences.

There are many types of addiction but drug and alcohol addiction are among the top 10 addictions that people of all gender and ages get addicted to. Drug and alcohol addiction drain the person involved financially and emotionally. Emotional impact is far more damaging because it involves not only the addict but people around them. Relationships are strained due to the difficulty living and interacting with a drug addict or alcohol dependent since they exhibit mood swings and other kinds of behavior that are way beyond normal.

The addicts are beyond their normal thinking that they continue their negative habits without consideration if they are already hurting other people. There are times that they think of their addiction but are powerless on their own to do anything about it.

Addicts manifest significant psychological symptoms that should be given attention. Addiction evaluation plays an important role to determine the success of recovery of an addict. It is worthy to know that drug and alcohol addictions as well as other types of addiction can be treated by personalized programs in treatments centers such as the Big Island Rehab at Hawaii Island Recovery.

There are many tools to screen the addiction of an individual and the three most commonly used Self Reporting Tests are the CAGE, the MAST, and the SASSI.

The CAGE

This is probably the simplest screening tool which is originally used to determine alcohol problems but may be modified to accommodate a range of substance abuse problems. This tool, which is an acronym for four questions and has become a cornerstone in addiction evaluation, was developed by Ewing and Rouse.

C – Have you ever felt the needs to CUT down on your drinking?

A – Have you ever felt ANNOYED by someone criticizing your drinking?

G – Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking?

E – Have you ever had to drink in the morning to quiet your nerves or relieve a hangover? (EYEOPENER)

An affirmative response to at least two of these questions will indicate an alcohol problem and can be useful for an expert evaluation of a certified addictions counselor or social worker.

The MAST

The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) is a 24 item test that can easily be administered in written or oral form. Each question can be scored by , 1, 2, or 5, where  indicates a non-drinking response, 1 and 2 indicate a typical social or moderate drinking response, and 5 indicates an alcoholic drinking characteristic.

An overall score of -4 suggest a no problem alcohol drinker, 5-6 would indicate an alcohol problem, 7-9 reveals an alcoholic, 10-20 manifests a moderate alcoholic, and 20 or more score will categorize a severe alcoholic. The questions, however, were deemed leaning to a determination of alcohol problem that Jacobsen recommended a cut-off score of 12 instead of 7 to considerably yield a lower rate of false positives. The false negative results were still sufficiently high that professionals were prompted to rely more on training and instinct over the resultant scores and formula of the MAST.

The SASSI

The SASSI inventory tool, authored by Glen Miller, is designed to scale the subtle attributes inherent in the substance addict by asking questions seemingly not related to an addiction problem. Kerr, one of the critics of the tool, commends that the test is doing a good job in identifying the chemically dependent persons, and is slightly giving psychometrically sound results in identifying chemically dependent persons.

The above mentioned Self Reporting Tests are useful as a determining factor in addiction evaluation, but it is important that a complete evaluation be taken by a qualified counselor. The first big step towards recovery is an honest conversation between the client and a professional health care.

The client must be willing to cooperate and open up so that a treatment specifically designed to a particular problem may be developed. Each addiction case is different and each case must be determined so that the best course of treatment such as the Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Recovery Rehab can be offered to the client.

Like any program that is geared towards bringing the client to learn new ways of coping, it is the honesty at what the problem is and how insidious it is, that becomes the cornerstone of any successful program. Addiction Evaluation is an honest assessment of the client’s capacity to recognize the problem and becomes the first step of recovery. Client’s cooperation will determine the success or failure of any addiction evaluation.

Since most addicted people are unable to face the negative impacts of substance abuse by themselves, an addiction treatment center is the best place for the addict to get support, assistance and guidance. To start your recovery or a member of your family or a loved one, call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.