Substance Abuse Evaluation: A Better Life Treatment in Atlanta
A Better Life Treatment – Alcohol & Drug Screening (UDS)
Professional Evaluation Services

Comprehensive Substance Abuse Evaluations

Professional, evidence-based substance abuse evaluations that provide accurate assessments and guide effective treatment planning for lasting recovery.

Professional Assessment

What is a Substance Abuse Evaluation?

A comprehensive, evidence-based assessment that evaluates an individual’s substance use patterns, behaviors, and treatment needs to determine the most appropriate level of care and intervention strategies.

A substance abuse evaluation is a thorough clinical assessment conducted by qualified professionals to understand the extent and impact of substance use on an individual’s life. This evaluation serves as the foundation for developing personalized treatment plans and determining the most appropriate level of care.

Our evaluations utilize evidence-based assessment tools and follow established clinical guidelines, including the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, to ensure accurate and comprehensive results.

The evaluation process examines multiple dimensions of an individual’s life, including substance use history, mental health status, medical conditions, social support systems, and motivation for change.

6

Comprehensive Assessment Dimensions Evaluated

Key Components of Our Evaluations

Substance Use History

Detailed assessment of current and past substance use patterns

Mental Health Assessment

Evaluation of co-occurring mental health conditions

Medical History

Review of physical health and medical complications

Social Support System

Assessment of family, relationships, and social connections

Evaluation Types

Types of Substance Abuse Evaluations We Provide

Our qualified professionals conduct various types of evaluations to meet different needs and requirements.

Clinical Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation for treatment planning and determining appropriate level of care.

  • ASAM criteria application
  • Treatment recommendations
  • Level of care determination
  • Individualized treatment planning

Court-Ordered Evaluations

Legal evaluations for court proceedings, probation, and legal compliance requirements.

  • Pre-trial assessments
  • Probation evaluations
  • DUI/DWI assessments
  • Legal compliance reporting

Employment-Related

Workplace evaluations for fitness-for-duty assessments and employment requirements.

  • Fitness-for-duty assessments
  • Return-to-work evaluations
  • Professional licensing assessments
  • Employee assistance programs

Family/Child Custody

Evaluations for child custody cases and family court proceedings.

  • Child custody assessments
  • Parental fitness evaluations
  • Visitation recommendations

Educational/Academic

Evaluations for educational institutions and academic disciplinary proceedings.

  • Student disciplinary assessments
  • Return-to-school evaluations
  • Academic accommodation needs
ASAM Criteria

ASAM Criteria Application in Our Evaluations

We utilize the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to ensure accurate assessment and appropriate level of care recommendations.

The Six ASAM Dimensions

Our evaluations assess each individual across six key dimensions to determine the most appropriate level of care and treatment interventions.

Dimension 1: Acute Intoxication/Withdrawal

Assessment of current intoxication and withdrawal potential

Dimension 2: Biomedical Conditions

Evaluation of medical conditions and complications

Dimension 3: Emotional/Behavioral Conditions

Assessment of psychiatric conditions and cognitive impairment

Dimension 4: Readiness to Change

Evaluation of motivation and readiness for treatment

Dimension 5: Relapse/Continued Use Potential

Assessment of relapse risk and continued use potential

Dimension 6: Recovery Environment

Evaluation of living situation and social support systems

Level of Care Recommendations

Based on ASAM assessment, we recommend appropriate levels of care:

  • • Level 0.5: Early Intervention
  • • Level 1: Outpatient Services
  • • Level 2: Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization
  • • Level 3: Residential/Inpatient Services
  • • Level 4: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient
Evaluation Process

Our Comprehensive Evaluation Process

A structured, thorough approach that ensures accurate assessment and appropriate treatment recommendations.

1

Initial Interview

Comprehensive clinical interview covering substance use history, mental health, and psychosocial factors.

  • • Detailed substance use history
  • • Medical and psychiatric history
  • • Family and social history
  • • Legal and employment history
2

Standardized Assessment

Administration of validated assessment tools and screening instruments.

  • • Addiction Severity Index (ASI)
  • • Mental health screening tools
  • • Risk assessment instruments
  • • Readiness to change measures
3

Collateral Information

Gathering additional information from relevant sources when appropriate.

  • • Medical records review
  • • Family member input
  • • Previous treatment records
  • • Legal documentation
4

ASAM Criteria Application

Systematic application of ASAM criteria to determine appropriate level of care.

  • • Six-dimension assessment
  • • Severity rating
  • • Level of care matching
  • • Treatment intensity determination
5

Report Preparation

Comprehensive written report with findings and recommendations.

  • • Clinical findings summary
  • • Diagnostic impressions
  • • Treatment recommendations
  • • Prognosis assessment
6

Follow-up & Referral

Coordination of care and referrals to appropriate treatment providers.

  • • Treatment provider referrals
  • • Care coordination
  • • Follow-up scheduling
  • • Progress monitoring plans

Evaluation Timeline

Most evaluations are completed within 1-2 sessions, with reports typically available within 3-5 business days of completion.

Expedited evaluations available for urgent cases.

1-2

Sessions typically required

3-5

Business days for report

Treatment Planning

From Evaluation to Treatment: Our Recommendations

Our evaluations provide detailed, evidence-based treatment recommendations tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Based on comprehensive evaluation results, we develop personalized treatment recommendations that address:

Appropriate Level of Care

Matching treatment intensity to individual needs

Therapeutic Interventions

Evidence-based treatment modalities and approaches

Co-occurring Disorders

Integrated treatment for dual diagnosis conditions

Support Services

Ancillary services to support recovery success

Continuum of Care Matching

We match individuals to the most appropriate level of care based on ASAM criteria:

Level 0.5 – Early Intervention

Prevention and early intervention services

Level 1 – Outpatient

Less than 9 hours per week of structured programming

Level 2 – Intensive Outpatient

9+ hours per week of intensive programming

Level 3 – Residential

24-hour structured treatment environment

Level 4 – Medically Managed

24-hour medical care and monitoring

Why Choose A Better Life for Your Evaluation?

Qualified Professionals

Licensed clinicians with specialized addiction assessment training

Evidence-Based Approach

Standardized assessment tools and proven evaluation methods

Timely Results

Quick turnaround times with comprehensive reporting

Schedule Evaluation

Call Now