2-Clinical Assessment

Clinical Assessment
20% Of Final Mark

Up to this point in the course, students have had an opportunity to explore and discuss many different topics related to addictions. This has included various theories of addiction, major drug classifications, the physiological, psychological and social impact that drugs and alcohol have on people, what Motivational Interviewing is and how to use that in applying the Stages of Change Model to helping people, what it means to work in a “System of Care” in helping people, what case management means as it relates to addictions and the various forms of treatment that are available to people who decide that they want to make a change in their life. It only makes sense now in this course, to apply what you know by interviewing somebody using basic interviewing and active listening skills. This assignment will allow students to do just that by completing the following steps below.

1. Familiarize yourself with the Standardized Assessment Tools that you have been provided with (Psychoactive Drug History Questionnaire and the Adverse Consequences of Substance Use. Decide on a willing candidate that can be honest, reliable and committed to sparing a couple of hours answering questions. You don’t need to select someone with a history of alcohol or drug abuse, as an assessment can tell you much more than whether a person drinks or uses drugs too much. It is essential and important that students explain to the people that they are interviewing that a pseudonym will be used and the information is submitted to their professor for an assignment evaluation.

2. Complete all aspects of the clinical assessment tools on someone that you have identified. It is important to remember that the more detail in the assessment tools, the better.

3. Provide an overall summary of the assessment, the person’s substance abuse history, the overall impact it has had on their lives, problem recognition and responsiveness to treatment. Provide an overview of any other life area problems (other than substances), are there any medical concerns at this time and how does the person perceive their social support from friends and family about their use and other problems that they might be presenting with.

4. Based on the assessment and on the above noted information, what intervention(s), treatments or changes do you recommend for this person and why?

5. What did you learn about doing this assessment? How comfortable were you asking the questions? How comfortable was the person answering the questions? Were there any skills you were able to use?

Your overall summary, recommendations and observations should be a maximum of 3 typed pages that are to be submitted with the completed Standardized Assessment Tools.