What Happens in a Substance Use Assessment?

A substance use assessment is a fresh start on the road to recovery. 

At PARS, we see you as a person, not just a case. You’ll meet with one of our supportive, licensed addiction counselors who will take time to learn your story and figure out the best way to help you move forward. Together, we’ll determine what type of support would help you most.

The Assessment Process

So, what exactly happens during a substance use assessment at PARS? Here’s an overview of each step of the process:

1. Initial Interview You’ll speak with one of our compassionate counselors, who will have a friendly discussion with you about what’s going on in your life. They’ll ask you a range of questions to get to know you better and understand your substance use history, including:

  • What substances have you used?
  • How often do you use substances?
  • When did you begin using substances?
  • How is substance use affecting your daily life, relationships, and responsibilities?
  • Are you struggling with any mental health disorders or concerns that are impacting your emotional wellbeing?

Don’t worry, it’s not an interrogation. Our goal is to create a comfortable space where you can speak openly without feeling judged. We want to understand your situation so we can provide you with the right resources and support so you can live your best life.

2. Screening Tools As part of your assessment, we’ll use evidence-based screening tools to understand your risk level for substance use. These may include:

  • Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFFT +N : For teens, we may use the CRAFFT +N questionnaire to screen for alcohol and drug use and understand what’s going on.
  • Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): For anyone who drinks alcohol, we may use the AUDIT screening tool to get deeper insights into the situation.
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES): We may use the ACES screener to discuss and understand any past experiences that could be playing a role in someone’s substance use today, such as difficult childhood memories.
  • SASSI  (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory): For adults this tool helps to identify individuals with a high probability of having a substance use disorder. 

3. Physical and Mental Health Evaluation Part of your conversation with a PARS counselor will focus on your mental and physical health. Many people find that feeling anxious or depressed can affect their substance use, which means they might benefit from receiving treatment for both.

4. Assessing the Impact We’ll also talk about how substance use may be touching other areas of your life, including your family, relationships, work, and daily activities. This gives us a better sense of your situation so that if needed, we can suggest additional intervention, such as therapy or outpatient treatment.

The Outcome

After the conversation, your counselor will summarize their findings and offer recommendations for next steps. This might include educational sessions, counseling, or referrals for more intensive outpatient or inpatient treatment.

At PARS, substance use assessments are about getting a real understanding of what you’re going through, including your overall mental and emotional health. We want you to receive the care and support you need — whether it’s education, counseling, or treatment — so we can empower you to make informed choices about your health and recovery.

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