According to statistics, a significant number of Americans have abused alcohol at one point in their lives. Other reports show that rehab facilities admit a considerable number of individuals on an emergency basis as a result of failed alcohol detox and drug overdose. Although the final decision on whether or not you want to get admitted to an alcohol rehab entirely depends on you, some cases pen the final decision on a rehab facility or hospital in the case of a medical emergency.
On the other hand, if you need to admit yourself into an addiction treatment center voluntarily, you will need to prove that you have an alcohol dependency problem before admission. The question as to whether you need a doctor’s pre-assessment before being admitted to a rehab facility will be discussed in this piece as it appears to be a thorny issue for most interested parties.
What is an alcohol abuse evaluation?
While some individuals admit that they have a dependency problem on alcohol, some remain in denial. Word of mouth or your confirmation isn’t enough to get you admitted to an alcohol addiction treatment center. Generally, a substance abuse evaluation is used to determine your level of addiction, in which the results should aid in developing an effective and personalized treatment plan.
Who conducts the alcohol evaluation before admission?
Whether it’s voluntary, on a court order, or through a medical emergency, your preferred alcohol treatment center will request for your medical assessment records or take you to a professional for an in-house evaluation. Diagnosing alcohol addiction is often conducted by a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. Your doctor may use criteria based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) alongside other tests such as the blood, urine, and other lab tests to confirm your dependency on alcohol.
What is the purpose of an alcohol abuse assessment?
An evaluation from a doctor before admission to the alcohol treatment center settles the following things:
- Determines the degree of alcohol addiction and abuse.
- Determines if you are indeed an alcohol addict.
- Distinguish whether or not you have any co-occurring medical, mental, or physical conditions or any other underlying issues that may affect treatment.
- Evaluates the extent to which alcohol abuse affects your life.
- It provides a better understanding of you as a person rather than a victim of alcohol abuse and the circumstances that may have lead to the addiction crisis.
What to expect during the evaluation
During alcohol abuse evaluation, your doctor may use screening, a comprehensive assessment, or a combination of both techniques depending on the state you show up at the hospital or alcohol addiction rehab. Screening results are quite apparent with the outcome typically showing a yes or no as the answer to whether you have an alcohol addiction problem. On the other hand, assessments define the nature of the addiction and how best to address the issue.
During the assessment, your doctor will inquire about your medical history, previous or current alcohol use, history of alcohol or drug dependency in your family, the manners in which the habit affected your life, and any history of addiction treatment. Depending on how you answer and the results, your evaluation may require the intervention of other related professionals.
The exceptions for admission
Patients found with co-occurring conditions such as mental or chronic illnesses may need to address these issues first before proceeding for admission at the addiction treatment facilities. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are thought to magnify an individual’s drug or alcohol dependency struggles, which make it hard to attain commendable sobriety. Moreover, untreated mental illnesses are known to create an environment that triggers individuals to relapse. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS can be quite detrimental to a victim’s health. Such patients need intensive monitoring, and special treatment during medical detoxification as the withdrawal symptoms can take a great toll on their health. Evaluation ensures that all individuals pass candidacy for alcohol addiction treatment while taking all necessary and precautionary measures into consideration.
So, must you pass by the doctor’s office for medical assessment and evaluation before being admitted into alcohol rehabilitation? Absolutely! It’s imperative for the success of your treatment and your safety. Have you been considering professional alcohol addiction treatment? Look no further. Reach us at (440) 253-9915 to speak to one of our representatives and begin your journey to sobriety today!
