Substance Use Evaluations

What Is a Substance Use Evaluation?

Also known as a Substance Abuse Evaluation, Drug and Alcohol Assessment, Chemical Dependency Evaluation, Court-Ordered Drug Evaluation, SAE, or Psychosocial Evaluation.

A Substance Use Evaluation is a clinical assessment often required by CPS, probation officers, defense attorneys, courts, or employers. It is conducted by a licensed clinician trained to assess substance use patterns and identify their impact on a person's life, relationships, and functioning.

Substance Use Evaluations are most effective when the client is honest — the goal is not to judge but to provide an accurate, individualized clinical picture.

Evaluation Methods

Each evaluation uses a combination of standardized, evidence-based assessment tools:

• ✓ SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) — a validated screening tool that identifies individuals with a high probability of a substance use disorder, including those who may not be forthcoming about their use.
• ✓ Psychosocial History — a structured clinical interview covering substance use history, personal background, family history, legal history, and current functioning.
• ✓ PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) — a standardized assessment for depression severity.
• ✓ GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale) — a standardized assessment for anxiety severity.
• ✓ C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) — a clinically validated tool for assessing suicidal ideation and behavior.

What Does an Evaluation Look Like?

The evaluation is a structured clinical conversation that includes a review of your substance use history, personal and family history, and scored standardized assessments. Following the evaluation, you will receive individualized clinical recommendations based on your results.