Sana Lake

Sana Lake

Sana Lake Recovery Center is a Joint Commission Accredited addiction treatment program. We offer a safe and trustworthy facility for people struggling with substance abuse.

On Posted on by Sana Lake to Addiction Treatment

Alcohol addiction makes life very messy. It’s worth mentioning that it not only affects those who are struggling with addiction but their loved ones as well. Alcohol abuse has a way of completely devouring everything in its path, whether it be a user’s job, family/loved ones, or finances. 

The longer someone abuses alcohol, they risk being in imminent danger to themselves and others. Seeking help is always the best game-plan. In circumstances like these, court-ordered substance abuse assessments may render themselves useful.

Why Alcohol Assessment?

Court-ordered alcohol assessments address the following areas of substance abuse:

  • Determining the range of one’s abuse
  • Evaluating the impact of addiction in their own lives and the lives of those surrounding them
  • Addressing as to whether or not dual diagnosis is necessary
  • Allowing the court to outline the treatment plan necessary for the individual’s recovery

A court-ordered alcohol assessment is necessary in order for somebody to start receiving quality care for their addiction. Streamlining the process for recovery never hurts, and it helps those who are dependant on alcohol get better quicker.

Those who participate in court-ordered alcohol assessments have seen a vast improvement in the areas of family conflict, finances, employment, and education. With that in mind, those who end up taking a court-ordered assessment experience much more success than those who do not.

Am I or a Loved One Suffering from SUD?

Those who suffer from alcoholism experience the following symptoms:

  • Lack of self-control with alcohol
  • Lack of interest in any activity
  • Consistently inebriated 
  • Consistently lying
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Those suffering from alcoholism have one priority that trumps everything: drinking. Alcohol abuse not only has a disastrous effect on the individual, but also on those who care about them the most. Addicts may neglect their families and either hurt them emotionally or physically. Financial stressors are also a direct result of alcoholism. All of this has the potential to destroy even the strongest of families. 

What are Alcohol Assessments for Court?

In a nutshell, alcohol assessments for court are a sort of test that is ultimately used to determine the extent of someone’s substance abuse or addiction. Evaluating the range of a person’s alcohol abuse is imperative to receiving the best treatment. Not only do these assessments determine the vastness of the abuse, but it can also be used to discern what exactly is best for the individual as far as treatment is concerned. 

Figuring out which treatment is best for those with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is pivotal to a person’s recovery process. There are no one-size-fits-all methods when it comes to SUD treatment; everybody is different, and so are their needs. Alcohol assessments for court are a huge help when it comes to discerning which treatment option is best for the individual. 

Anybody from employers to family members can use this test to analyze their loved one’s substance abuse. When suspicion arouses a family member or loved one, every option must be considered when discerning what the course of action should be. Alcohol assessments for court are a full-proof route to take.

Additional Alcohol Assessment Information

Court ordered alcohol assessment can be used for the following circumstances:

  • Reinstating a driver’s license
  • Probation
  • Court appearance

This assessment uses diagnostic screening and interviews to put together the biological, psychological, and social history of each case. Sequentially, the information that was gathered is then analyzed to determine which treatment option is best. 

Whether someone has run into trouble with the law or a loved one is looking out for someone they care for, alcohol assessment can help expedite the recovery process. This is a much better option than starting from scratch. The tests speak for themselves. They’re completely objective, not subject to the opinion of anybody else, and completely unbiased. 

Court-ordered alcohol assessments take less than two hours to finish. Upon completing these tests, a licensed clinician will analyze the test results to evaluate the context of alcohol use. This helps people who don’t suffer from substance abuse; sometimes, these people have misused a substance once and it happened to result in arrest or some other legal issue.

Following the assessment, the clinician makes a recommendation for treatment, and the court will make a decision as well. Some of these decisions include the following:

Occasionally the court will order that somebody use these resources before a substance abuse assessment is required. If this is the case, they should take the offer. This could show the court that the person wants to address their problems and take responsibility for them.

Court Recommendations for Treatment Options

Starting treatment immediately upon completing a court-ordered alcohol assessment is the best route to take. Treatment is scary, but some options have proven themselves successful.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is used for more serious cases of substance abuse. These patients receive 24/7 access to medical personnel if the need arises, and also live in the care of a treatment facility. This could last anywhere from 28 days to six months. 

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is an option that is intended for milder cases of substance abuse. This method gives patients access to professional therapists and psychiatrists anywhere from 10-12 hours weekly. In terms of timeline, this could last anywhere from three months to over a year depending on the individual. Outpatient care renders itself useful for those who suffer from mild substance abuse. Those who need to stay at home to support their family’s loved ones, or themselves can do so.

Detox

Alcohol detox could include the following symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures 
  • Nausea 
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

When dealing with substance abuse treatment, cutting somebody off of alcohol can lead to serious withdrawal. It is difficult to manage sobriety and good health in general after making drinking the top priority; it’s so easy to slip up. Alcohol detox should be treated with extreme care. Medically assisted treatment (MAT) uses medicine to help a patient come off of their substance dependence comfortably.

Counseling Sessions

Counseling assists patients in examining their past with substance abuse. Establishing a broad range of coping mechanisms is imperative to the recovery journey. It also plays a significant role in shaping the attitudes of those individuals in a more positive direction. 

Circumstances for Court Ordered Assessment

Some of the most common offenses that require assessment include the following:

  • DUI/DWI
  • Public intoxication
  • Fake ID

The cause for any disease, let alone alcohol addiction is crucial to the improvement and of somebody’s life. Treating the symptoms should never take top priority; it is also just as crucial to the court process. A court-ordered assessment determines the best course of action in the fairest and balanced way.  

Sana Lake Wants to Help You Today

Our top priority at Sana Lake is to be sure that you are cared for and recover to the best of your ability. It can be scary initially to even think about substance abuse treatment, but nothing is as imperative as determining the best course of action. 

Destructive tendencies will not help anybody in these situations, especially those addicted to or suffering from alcohol abuse. The best way to handle these situations may be to sit with them and just listen.

This may be difficult to accept, but the reality is that there are so many people who struggle with substance abuse. However, users are not the only ones who suffer; their families and loved ones do as well. It is just as imperative that they receive help. Finding the right kind of care is crucial to the recovery journey. 

Sana Lake believes in walking with and assisting those who suffer from alcohol abuse. Their family and loved ones are not exempt. Our goal is to lead them towards a life of stability so that they can flourish. The first step in this process may be a court-ordered alcohol assessment. 

Due to the unique needs of each individual, finding the right kind of treatment may be difficult. This is why a court-ordered alcohol assessment is vital to the recovery process; it determines what kind of care fits a person’s recovery needs.

Our philosophy is to bring those that wrestle with alcohol addiction to a more stable place. We do this successfully by assessing the needs of each person so that they can receive the best care available to recover as quickly as possible. 

Our passion lies with all of our patients’ pursuit of well-being. If you or a loved one wants to take an alcohol assessment, you can contact us here. 

References

https://dui.drivinglaws.org/resources/dui-and-dwi/the-importance-dui-evaluation.htm