Chemical dependency evaluations help addiction treatment professionals learn more about a person's substance use disorder so they can choose and develop the best possible treatments for that individual.

A chemical dependency test is usually the first step before starting treatment for substance abuse.

Here's what you need to know about chemical dependency evaluations, and what they mean for your addiction treatment options.

What Is Chemical Dependency?

Chemical dependency is similar to drug or alcohol dependency. People who become physically dependent on drugs and alcohol need certain amounts of these substances to feel normal and function normally from day to day.

They will also experience a set of withdrawal symptoms when abruptly discontinuing the substances on which they are dependent. For instance, a person dependent on alcohol will experience withdrawal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, and rapid heart rate within several hours after having their last drink.

What Is a Chemical Dependency Evaluation?

The main purpose of a chemical dependency evaluation is to determine which therapies and treatments will work best for a person who needs help recovering from a substance use disorder.

A chemical dependency test confirms whether an individual is physically dependent on drugs or alcohol and identifies which substances are being used. Chemical dependency evaluations also assess the severity of a substance use disorder and the extent to which it has affected the person's life.

Drug and alcohol abuse affects each person differently based on factors such as age, the type of substances being used, the amount being used, and whether the person also suffers from a co-occurring mental health disorder.

A chemical dependency test evaluates the person's whole health and scope of the substance use disorder so doctors can choose the right treatments.

Why Would People Need a Chemical Health Evaluation?

There are many reasons a person may need a chemical health evaluation and assessment. Most importantly, this test is needed to help doctors determine which treatments will work best for recovery from chemical dependency while reducing the risk of complications. For example, a person dependent on opioids can be prescribed medications like methadone or buprenorphine that offer relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms, including drug cravings that increase the risk for relapse and overdose.

A person may also receive a chemical health assessment if they are ordered to do so by an attorney, judge, or probation officer, or as requested by an employer or academic institution.

Many times, chemical dependency evaluations are ordered following underage use of alcohol, possession of illicit drugs, an arrest or conviction of a DWI, or as a request from an attorney prior to a court hearing. In some instances, friends and relatives of people suffering from substance abuse may request a chemical dependency test as a first step toward getting their loved one connected with addiction treatment.

What Happens During a Chemical Dependency Evaluation?

A chemical dependency evaluation is part of the intake and assessment stage that all patients undergo as soon as they arrive at an addiction treatment center.

The evaluation may be performed by a licensed addiction counselor or by a team of addiction treatment professionals comprised of social workers, medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists.

Chemical dependency tests normally consist of a screening and an assessment. The purpose of the screening is to determine whether the person legitimately suffers from drug or alcohol dependency and whether he or she would benefit from treatment.

The purpose of the assessment is to diagnose the patient with a particular substance use disorder or mental health disorder, and develop a personalized treatment plan based on the diagnosis.

Chemical evaluations can take between one and two hours to complete, during which the patient will be interviewed about their substance use, treatment history, medical history, and about their work, recreation, and family lives.

Patients will be asked to speak openly and freely about their experiences with addiction and recovery, and about any concerns they may have about treatment. This information can often provide the medical team with valuable insight into how to tailor their treatment approach and gain the best possible outcome.

What Are Common Treatments for Chemical Dependency?

Drug and alcohol dependency is commonly treated using medical detox. Medical detox allows the patient to withdraw from substances while receiving 24-hour medical care and supervision.

Withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be severe and life-threatening and require medical intervention to reduce the risk for complications such as coma and death. In some instances, cravings for drugs can be so severe that they increase the risk for relapse and overdose. Medical detox helps patients stay safe as they recover from chemical dependency.

Chemical dependency may also be treated using medication maintenance or medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Patients who receive outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment may be prescribed medications that help manage their symptoms.

Medication maintenance and MAT are usually combined with behavioral therapy, counseling, and support-group participation — all of which help the patient recover from psychological dependency in addition to chemical dependency.

Legacy Treatment Services offers chemical dependency evaluations and substance abuse treatment to those who need help recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Visit our locations page to find a treatment center near you, or call us directly at 800-433-7365 to learn more about our available services.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64196/

https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment