Drug addiction can be difficult to ascertain considering that most professionals categorize addiction as a self-diagnosed aspect. However, there are different mechanisms and approaches that are in place which are categorized as processes that help in the process of assessing whether one has a drug addiction. Drug addiction ranges from abuse of alcohol to abuse of cocaine among many other drugs that are either legal or illegal. Kolodny and Frieden, (2017), in their book, offers a guideline and a set of processes that can be undertaken towards ensuring that the process of screening one to determine whether they have an addiction to a drug is as effective as possible. The book explains that the steps of addiction assessment processes are crucial considering that they are effective in helping to diagnose the type and level of treatment one is to receive should they be diagnosed with a drug addiction. The treatment level and the intensity of treatment determine the likelihood of recovery from addiction and as a result steps of addiction assessment processes should as effective and as accurate as possible.
According to Hou et al (2017), the first step towards the addiction assessment process is determining the first contact with the drug. In fact, this step is such that, the client is to indicate or rather find out when they first had contact with any given drug (Perkinson, 2017). The step is important as it helps to find out when the patient first contacted the given drug. Moreover, it makes it easier to ascertain and trace the history of the client with the drug.
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Secondly, Perkinson (2017) explains that the next step in assessing drug addiction is identifying all the drugs that the patient uses or has used. It is very important to develop and have a clearly outlined list of drugs that the client uses or has used (Perkinson, 2017). This step is crucial as it helps to narrow down the search on the drugs that the client has been exposed to and the assessment can be more focused on the drugs that are used.
Thirdly, the next step in assessing drug addiction is finding out whether the client has ever received any treatment for drug addiction (Perkinson, 2017). In addition, Perkinson (2017) notes that this step is essential considering that it allows understanding of the different approaches that have been taken towards treatment. Using the example of a multidisciplinary team for a patient who has alcohol addiction, a psychiatrist can play the crucial role in assessing the success of the treatment measures that were undertaken. From the feedback by this professional, then more advanced and patient-centered treatment initiatives can be undertaken.
Fourthly, conducting a biopsychosocial interview follows as the next step in drug addiction assessment. According to Perkinson, (2017), this step involves subjecting the patient to a biopsychosocial interview which will offer the chance to develop a clearer and properly defined diagnosis of the client. Thus, this step is significant as it allows diagnosis based on the assessment from professionals. Moreover, this step helps a multidisciplinary team (in the case of a patient with alcohol addiction) to determine the biological, social, and psychological factors that might have led to the addiction. For example, a social worker (who is a member of the team) can be able to determine some of the social factors leading to the addiction with the help of this interview.
The fifth step of assessing addiction to a drug is developing a treatment plan (Perkinson, 2017). Consequently, Perkinson (2017), in his book, explains that this step is essential as it leads to the development of the treatment plan based on the addiction of the patient. Moreover, this step is crucial considering that it focuses on the list of the problems of the patient. Developing an individual treatment plan, according to the book, follows as the sixth step. It involves developing treatment procedures for particular drugs and applies to patients who have multiple addictions. With a multidisciplinary team in place, each professional can offer their individual opinion on the treatment initiatives that can be undertaken.
Paying attention and focusing on special issues follows as the next step. During this step, the particular and individual issues such as the patient personality need to be considered. It is an important step considering that it leads to the treatment being customized to meet the needs of the given patient.
Adolescent treatment follows as the next step. It is an important step as it allows focusing treatment and diagnosis on teenagers. With this step, the age of the patient is considered and, in the event, that they are young treatment can be customized to suit the age of the patient.
Developing a family program follows as the next step (Perkinson, 2017). It is an important step considering that it allows aligning the treatment plan to the activities that the family engages in. Thus, it helps to mitigate risk factors that might limit the success of the treatment.
Lastly, finding a clinical staff that would directly handle the client is the next step (Perkinson, 2017). With a clinical staff well positioned, they can easily offer consistent help and guidance to guide the patient through the drug addiction. In this case scenario, a clinical staff can comprise of professions helping the patient get over alcohol addiction. The staff can be made up of a psychiatrist and a social worker. These steps have to be followed systematically if any success is to be attained in properly assessing clients to ascertain whether they have drug addictions. Moreover, the processes offer a guideline that has made the diagnosis of drug addiction easier. The steps are reliable and dependable.
References
Hou, F., et al. (2016). The mediating effect of social support between self-efficiency and the motivation for abstaining in drug addicts. Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing , 32 (18), 1408-1412.
Kolodny, A., & Frieden, T. R. (2017). Ten steps the federal government should take now to reverse the opioid addiction epidemic. Jama , 318 (16), 1537-1538.
Perkinson, R. R. (2017). Chemical dependency counseling: A practical guide (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
