In some drug or alcohol related cases, a judge may require that a substance abuse assessment be administered. These evaluations preformed at Bevill and Associates Behavioral Health are conducted by one of our trained and licensed social workers or counselors.
Some of the offenses that most commonly require a substance abuse assessment include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) / Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Drug or alcohol possession
- Drug trafficking or unlawful distribution
- Manufacturing or distributing controlled substances
- Disorderly conduct
- Public intoxication
- Using a false ID
Psychosocial Evaluation
Both biological and psychosocial factors influence the initiation and progression of dependence and their effects are not exclusive of each other. The following psychosocial aspects of substance abuse can be assessed:
- Social determinants of substance use: For e.g. age, gender, socio-economic status, cultural affiliation, etc.
- Psychological vulnerabilities: temperament,
- personality, developmental influences such as parenting
- Cognitions related to substance: craving, salience, expectancy from substance use, etc.
- Motivational level
- Psychosocial impact on substance use: quality of life, disability experienced, etc.
REQURIED DOCUMENTS
There are certain documents that may be needed for a substance abuse disorder assessment (you may have them, or you may need to obtain them from your attorney). The documentation might include: a copy of the arrest report, the report from your NEEDS Assessment (if you attended a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program), a driving history report from the Department of Department of Motor Vehicles (typically going back 7 years), and documentation of any other criminal offenses or arrests.
The assessment will usually take less than two hours. Reviewing the assessment, a licensed clinician will look over these documents and conduct an interview with you about your history of drug and alcohol use. This will help determine whether your offenses is an indicator that you have a substance abuse disorder, or if you simply misused substances in a one-time event that resulted in your arrest.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
What happens next depends on your specific circumstances, the recommendations of the clinician who conducted your assessment, and the decision of the court. You may be required to do one or more of the following:
- DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (RRP)
- Random drug and/or alcohol urinalysis
- 12 step meetings
- Drug or alcohol abuse education classes
- Drug or alcohol abuse counseling sessions
- Drug or alcohol abuse treatment program: either inpatient or outpatient
Sometimes, the court will order that some of the above be done even before you have a substance abuse disorder assessment. If so, don’t delay. It will help you get started with any treatment you need and that will show the judge that you are serious about your responsibilities and your recovery.
Court Diversion Programs by Counties
Click name of county for direct link to website
TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Just call us at (205) 610-9319 or use our easy online scheduler here.
If you have any questions or would like to contact us by email, you can complete a brief confidential contact form. Once you submit the contact form, a Bevill and Associates intake staff member will respond as soon as possible.
Bevill and Associates LLC is located in Birmingham, AL (on Valleydale Rd between I65 and Hwy. 280). Please click here for our full address and a map to our location. We are currently accepting new clients and warmly welcome self-referrals and referrals from physicians and other professionals.