Posts Tagged ‘Addiction Evaluation’

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.

There are many types of addiction: drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex and even money. But drug and alcohol addiction affects millions of people all over the world. They are two of the top 10 addiction that people of all ages get addicted to. The ease of access to a drug and alcohol and the pressure to use these substances are what drive people to get addicted to them. Addiction evaluation is very important in the treatment of the addiction. Addiction evaluation is the discernment of how much an addiction affects a person. There are certain questions that must be asked an addict and that must be answered in an addiction evaluation. In order for the addiction evaluation to be successful, an addict must answer the questions truthfully and honestly for a doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

Drug and alcohol dependency are among the many types of addiction that affect millions of people all over the world every year. The financial and emotional costs of addiction can devastate individuals and families. Drug and alcohol addiction can be very costly. But the emotional costs generated by addiction are far more costly than the financial costs. The emotional costs do not only affect the addicts but their families as well. Living and interacting with a drug addict can be difficult especially when he exhibits mood swings and other kinds of behavior that are otherwise not normal.

Drug and alcohol addictions can lead to dependency, where an addict can no longer function properly or do his chores without having first a dose of the drug or alcohol. Being an addict entails significant psychological symptoms that should not be ignored. Addiction evaluation includes asking questions about these symptoms so that the best course of treatment can be formulated. People who continue with their addiction do not think if they are hurting other people along the way. They contemplate and think of their addiction but are powerless to do anything about it.

Drug and alcohol addiction and other types of addiction are curable. The addict must be willing and cooperative for the treatment to be effective. Assessment and evaluation of the addiction must be done both by the addict himself and by a professional. To make the addict realize the damage the addiction has done to him and his loved ones, he must evaluate his situation and the consequences of continuing his addiction. It is not hard to do an addiction evaluation.

Here are some common questions that must be asked in an addiction evaluation by the addict himself.

1.    Has anyone – a friend, family member, doctor or colleague – been concerned about your use of substance or behavior?
•    This question in the addiction evaluation wants to know if anyone has voiced his opinion or concerns regarding the addict’s alcohol dependency or drug addiction. Feedbacks from the addict’s closest circle are just normal. They try to help the addict to get rid of his addiction.
2.    Have you been hurt or have you hurt anyone else physically as a result of using drugs or alcohol?
•    Physical injuries to addict himself or to other people cannot be avoided during episodes of use. The brain is muddled with negative thoughts and the body’s functions are impaired as a negative impact of substance abuse.
3.    How many times have you forgotten the events of the previous night because of your drinking and drug use?
•    Excessive intake of illegal drugs and alcohol muddle the mind, so it is common place to hear an addict tell someone that he doesn’t remember what happened the previous night.
4.    How many times do you feel any guilt, remorse, shame or embarrassment because of your drug and alcohol abuse?
•    An addict usually feels these feelings after he has taken drugs and the high or euphoria has worn off. It is usual for drug addicts and alcoholics to feel guilty about their substance abuse but do not do anything to get rid of their addiction.
5.    How many times do you need to take drugs or drink alcohol in the morning when you wake up to feel energized for the day?
•    There are instances when an addict has to take drugs or drink alcohol first thing in the morning so that they can go on with the day feeling energized or pumped up.
6.    How many times have you disappointed family members, colleagues, friends and bosses have because you were not able to do what was expected from you?
•    Substance abuse occupies the mind and activities of an addict. It is normal for an addict to not do the things that he is supposed to do either because he is too preoccupied with his behavior or he forgets his chores.
7.    How many times have you realized that you cannot live a day without taking the substance?
•    When a person gets hooked to a certain substance, he channels all his energy towards obtaining it. And when he is unable to do so, his behavior changes.
8.    How many times have you taken the substance in one single occasion?
•    An addict sometimes has to take the substance several times a day to satisfy his cravings.
9.    How many times in a given period do you take the substance?
•    This addiction evaluation question is somewhat related to the previous one. An addict has to take the substance several times a day or week to be able to sustain his addiction.
10.     Do you have to have a stash of the substance at the ready?
•    To make sure that he does not run out of the drugs or alcohol, an addict has to have a backup supply in his home or office so that anytime he happens to crave for some, he does not have to go out and buy.

These drug and alcohol evaluation or drug and alcohol assessment questions in the addiction evaluation are very important towards addiction recovery. Treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction are readily available. The recovery of an addict is not an easy road to take. He will have to suffer sacrifices and setbacks, sometimes relapses, to fully recover. Addiction evaluation by the addict himself and by an addiction expert is the first step towards recovery. Cooperation and willingness of the addict are what’s needed in order for him to get well.

There are many causes of drug and alcohol addiction, and each of them must be determined so that the best course of treatment can be offered to the addict. Each case is different – from the causes of the addiction, behavior of the addict to the treatment that is suitable. But addiction evaluation is the one constant thing that must be done in order to determine the addict’s behavior and also to prescribe the best way to treat the addiction.

Addiction treatment can be done in a residential treatment facility. Alcohol evaluation and addiction evaluation are totally confidential. A treatment facility releases its diagnoses and recommendations after an addiction evaluation. These initial diagnoses and the succeeding diagnoses after that are essential for the evaluation and treatment of the addict. Early intervention of the families of addicts is crucial for the prevention of the addiction.

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.