top of page

What To Expect At A Substance Abuse Assessment


substance abuse assessment

Addiction can have a huge impact on the life of an individual and their families, and the struggle can be deeply personal.


When an individual decides they are ready for help, the thought of sharing personal and private information with a stranger can be intimidating. This can be a difficult time, and sometimes scary.


At Care Addiction Center, we do our best to make it as comfortable and supportive as possible.


What Is A Substance Abuse Assessment?

A substance abuse assessment - sometimes called a drug or alcohol assessment / evaluation or biopsychosocial assessment - is a method to measure past alcohol or drug use to appropriately place patients in the most effective level of care.


Will the individual need outpatient treatment? Medical detox? Intensive outpatient treatment? Inpatient care? A thorough assessment by a caring, compassionate counselor will help determine the right treatment.


A substance abuse assessment is not the same as a DUI assessment. It is important when scheduling the assessment to let us know which you need.

What Happens At A Substance Abuse Assessment?


1. Talk With A Trained, Compassionate Counselor


At a substance abuse assessment, you’ll talk with one of our trained and compassionate intake counselors who will be able to discuss treatment options as well as answer any questions you or your loved ones may have.

2. Biopsychosocial Assessment / Evaluation

We complete a biopsychosocial evaluation that includes questions about what kind of substances have been used, how frequently they are used, and other issues related to the substance use. It’s also important to know how much support an individual has on the road to recovery, which means we will also ask about the living environment and family situations.

3. Discuss Treatment Options


Through your assessment our staff will be able to gather information needed to place you in the best treatment available. If you need a level of care which we don’t provide we will work with our network of providers to assist you.

How Long Does a Substance Abuse Assessment Take?

A substance abuse assessment at Care Addiction Center takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Will You Be Drug Tested At A Drug Assessment?

Substance abuse assessments do not include a drug screening unless requested. However, if this is a court ordered drug assessment, the court may need a drug test.

Is This Covered By Insurance?

Most of the time insurance covers a substance abuse assessment. We recognize that addiction insurance coverage and benefits can be complex. Find out if your insurance covers rehab by clicking here for a no cost, private insurance approval.



Getting Help For Addiction


While addiction recovery can be challenging, it is achievable with the right resources and support. If you or somebody in your life seems to have an issue with alcohol or suffering from addiction, professional help may be the best option for recovery.


At Care Addiction Center, we offer treatment plans that address every facet of your addiction, serving individuals in Geneva, Batavia, Sycamore, St. Charles, and Kane County, with online addiction treatment available anywhere in Illinois. 


To get started on the road to recovery, or if you have questions about helping yourself or a loved one, call us today or schedule a confidential assessment online and begin treatment.

bottom of page