Needs Assessment Paper

When clients are referred to Family and Youth Services an initial assessment is performed, which includes information on a clients demographics, residential status, income, insurance coverage, mental or medical history, and main reason for seeking service. The process also includes an overview of different areas of need such as shelter, food, safety, and health care.

Although the main goal of the assessment is to refer clients to treatment, many clients refuse treatment. However, they are willing to accept referrals to non-addiction agencies to resolve problems that have either been caused by addiction or that led to the problems. This assessment may be an intervention that the client needs. You will want to use the appropriate research-based screening tools that may be applicable to the client’s individual circumstances.

As clinicians, there is a duty to provide as clear of a diagnostic assessment as possible, particularly in relation to substance use, in order to provide the best care. In Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, the authors state “as with other diseases and disorders, the earlier a therapist diagnoses a substance abuse problem, the better the prognosis for the client.” (Stevens & Smith, 2013) This makes assessment crucial to the diagnostic process. In “Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) for illicit drug and alcohol use at multiple heathcare sites,” written by Madras, Compton, Avula, Stegbauer, Stein, & Clark (2009), the reported 2006 NSDUH survey statistics estimated that “22.6 million people harbor a diagnosable alcohol or illicit drug use disorder.” (Madras et.al, 2009) Over the years, researchers have developed

Psychoeducational groups relating to additions or substance abuse are designed to assist participants in their stages of change, learn about recovery, provide information to families to understand behaviors, and to assist participants with resources and skills (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Psychoeducational groups will support participants and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. These groups will utilize different methods to replace addictive behavior and practice mindfulness to work on any cognitive impairment that their addiction has produced (U.S Department of Health and Human Service, n.d). In addition, substance abuse or addiction psychoeducational groups provide participants support and peer confrontation. Other members are able to support the group by offering education about what has worked well for them, or what has not work well. The group processes also provides emotional support for members to assist in personal recovery.

The assessment holistic approach to understanding what has occurred and currently occurring in the clients life as well as understanding what is considered a priority of treatment for them and their guardian. The assessment begins with the presenting issues asking what brought the client in. The section also covers when the problem started, how long it has been going on, what is the level of intensity of the problems, and how frequently do they occur. In the family and social history section examples of questions asked are current household member, how does the client get along with others, client's strengths, and who do they go to when they need help. The next section is the abuse and sexual risk behavior where the client is asked if they feel safe inside and or outside there home and if they have or know of anyone that has been abused or neglected. Developmental history is then taken, which includes history of pregnancy, any disorder or disabilities the client has been diagnosed with, and delays in any motor

There are many assessment processes that are used to identify substance abuse as well as many other disorders that are addictive. These processes include the SBIRT, AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), NIDAMED, CAGE AID (which is used frequently within the counseling foundation), AUDIT-C, and also the DAST-10 which is an assessment process used to evaluate drug abuse within the patients. These are many different processes that are currently used to identify these addictions in clients. The activity of identifying these processes can be over a period of time or can be evaluated in that same day or after the evaluation is completed.

In an effort to aid in the proper treatment recommendations for individuals presenting with substance abuse or dependence issues, the ASI was created for study purposes through the Veteran’s Administration in 1977 (McLellan et Al., 2006). It is a multidimensional assessment tool that expands its focus outside of simply substance abuse, but into other key complex domains that that either directly impact the individual’s substance abuse, or their subsequent recovery efforts (Denis, et AL., 2012). The ASI is a semi-structured assessment tool, that while it utilizes direct answers, also allows for the expansion of certain questions and the ability for assessor notes outside of provided questions, in order to allow a clearer understanding within certain domains. While I have never personally used a precise ASI assessment professionally with a client, I did notice an undeniable, almost succinct, similarity with the biopsychosocial assessment I use with clients in my position.

In the past, as well as currently, I have worked with individuals who have been charged with drug dealing offenses, who have also developed a dependency issue. This specific group of individuals who demonstrate addictive behaviors can be incredibly different and challenging to work with. One of the assessment methods that I would use with this client in

The relationship between an addict and his or her social worker is important. It should be based on trust with the understanding that recovery and sobriety is the number one outcome. An important first step for a social worker to take in order to help the client is to perform an assessment. An assessment provides a better understanding of the client’s situation and needs and should focus on three main tasks.

The purpose of this paper is to assess a client that is suffering from a substance abuse. The assessment will help determine the client’s treatment plan. By assessing the client it will help for a better understanding of the substance abuse and behaviors attach. There will be recommendation and prevention plans to help the clients and his family with their needs to help with the treatment.

Patient Assessment – Patient assessment is performed by an addiction counselor who uses a number of methods to determine if an alcohol or drug use problem truly exists. If such a diagnosis is established, it is necessary to determine the extent or severity of disease, if there is a need for medical detoxification, and the services or level of care required to safely and successfully achieve sobriety.

Intake is an important first step in developing a helping relationship with clients. Hepworth et al. (2013) note that as social workers, we must conduct multidimensional assessments of the problem in order to “identify the systems that play a significant role in the difficulty,” and also be able to “identifying relevant resources that can be tapped or must be developed” in order for treatment to occur. Conversely, if these assessments lack important information, clinicians will be missing pieces of important information that are needed to begin a helping relationship. Assessments must be thorough and ask precise questions in order to procure effective treatment solutions.

Patient Assessment – Patient assessment is performed by an addiction counselor who uses a number of methods to determine if an alcohol or drug use problem truly exists. If such a diagnosis is established, it is necessary to determine the extent or severity of disease, if there is a need for medical detoxification, and the services or level of care required to safely and successfully achieve sobriety.

Becoming acquainted with a potential client’s history, personality and present concerns is necessary in forming a foundation for counseling interventions. This information gathering phase is referred to as assessment (Mears, 2010). While some mental health professionals will use an interview as their primary assessment tool, others will utilize testing

The aim of screening is to identify and distinguish between people using substances with moderate risk of harm (eligible for a brief intervention) as compared to those at high risk of harm (that need to be referred for further assessment and treatment). This provides the basis for delivery of a targeted intervention that is appropriate to the needs of the individual. The majority of people screened, fortunately, show moderate risk of harm and are in the pre-contemplation stages of change. They usually lack insight into their drug use, and will not seek help until more serious problems develop. The aim of a brief intervention is to motivate progression through the stages of change. Clinical experience and research has shown that effective brief intervention shares some consistent features. These have been summarised using the acronym, FRAMES, which stands for Feedback, Responsibility, Advice, Menu of Options, Empathy, and