The Drug & Alcohol 

Psychological Evaluation 

 

Adolescent (age 12 to 16)

Adult (age 17 and up)

Court - Ordered Drug & Alcohol Assessments
 

   A drug & alcohol psychological evaluation is a targeted report that focuses on the use, misuse, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. 

 

   Drugs and alcohol can account for a variety of interpersonal, social, familial, marital, relational, legal, occupational, educational, emotional, psychological, and physical problems.    

 

   A drug and alcohol psychological evaluation is designed to measure the impact of substance use, abuse, and dependency across these domains.  

 

   A drug & alcohol psychological evaluation is an option when the problem is specific to substance abuse and if a full psychological evaluation is not warranted.  This smaller battery of assessments focuses on specific substance use and personality factors.  On occasion, a drug & alcohol psychological evaluation can be extended to a full psychological evaluation.

 

   A drug & alcohol psychological evaluation can identify individuals who have a high probability of having drug or alcohol problems, and help guide treatment protocols.  

 

   When warranted, it may also be necessary to have a full medical examination & blood work in order to fully assess the physiological extent and impact that prolonged drugs and alcohol use has had on the individual.

 

   A drug & alcohol psychological evaluation can provide clinically important data even when the individual is unwilling or unable to acknowledge relevant problem behaviors.  This is a significant advantage when problem behaviors are hidden and when users are not forthright in revealing their use.

 

   As with the full psychological evaluation, the type of psychological instruments used are both valid and reliable measures of the domains they assess.  The findings across multiple instruments are viewed and interpreted within the context of your personal histories.  A drug and alcohol psychological evaluation can capture years and decades of drinking and drug use in a matter of hours. 

 

    It is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools a psychologist can use in the treatment of substance abuse and dependency, and it is what uniquely separates psychologists from other types of licensed counselors and therapists.

   A drug & alcohol psychological evaluation can be court-ordered or, done through a referral by your physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist (or therapist), or can be self-referred / parent or legal guardian referred.  The evaluation is release to third parties only with your written consent, or by court-order. 

 

   A drug and & alcohol evaluation that focuses solely on alcohol and drug use can be used to satisfy court-mandated requirements that resulted in a DUI charge.  This consists of a clinical interview followed by assessment instruments that measure the intensity, frequency, and duration of alcohol and substance use.  This option is available only when the results of the clinical interview indicate that a more detailed psychological evaluation is not warranted.