LCDC – Assessment questions and answers

Assessment An ongoing process through which the counselor collaborates with the client and others to gather and interpret information necessary for planning treatment and evaluating client progress. Tools include: 1. observations 2. clinical interviews atory tests 4. tests and self-report inventories (instruments) Assessment Considerations 1. Cultural Relevance - taking into account the client's social context. 2. Client Explanation - procedures, purpose of assessment, most helpful interventions available & ability to ask questions. Biopsychosocial Perspective Recognizes that there are biological, psychological and social causes of substance abuse and dependence. Biological Factors Brain chemistry problems, which may be genetic. Genetics influence biochemistry, and biochemistry makes some people particularly vulnerable to addiction to certain drugs one they try them. Psychological Factors Cognitive styles, personality traits, and early developmental experiences. Social Factors Poverty, oppression, poorly developed social skills, and family dysfunction. Assessment Information 1. Presenting problems 2. Alcohol and other drug use 3. Psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment 4. Medical history 5. Current health status 6. Family relationships 7. Social and leisure activities 8. Education and vocational training 9. Employment history 10. Legal problems 11. Mental/ emotional functioning 12. Strengths and weaknesses Immediate Medical Evaluation Needed Client's who present with: 1. Hallucinations 2. Severe tremors 3. Tachycardia 4. Confusion or delirium 5. Uncontrollable agitation 6. Ingested unknown substances or quantities of substances Tremors Involuntary fine movement of the body or limbs Tachycardia Abnormally rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute) Withdrawal Risk Factors 1. History of withdrawal 2. History of seizures 3. Dependence on multiple substances Rapport A comfortable working relationship, which helps assure the client's trust and cooperation. Person First Language Placement of the noun (individual or person) before the descriptive phrase (with disabilities) to conceptualize the whole person with many abilities and disabilities rather than emphasizing disabilities. Motivational Interviewing Used for ALL phases of treatment. A style of interacting with clients that is helpful in reducing defensiveness and encouraging therapeutic collaboration between counselor and client. Counselors use the interpersonal process to enhance client's motivation to change. Motivational Interviewing respects the clients perception of the problem and engages the client in a dialogue that promotes the client non-defensively reexamining the situation and coming to determine that a problem exists. Self Efficacy Refers to one's belief about one's ability to perform behaviors that should lead to expected outcomes. those with high levels for a particular task are more likely to succeed than those with low levels Stages of Change 1. Precontemplation—people do not think they have a problem and have no intention of changing behavior 2. Contemplation—people know they have a problem and are intending to take action within 6 months 3. Preparation—people plan to take action within a month 4. Action—people outwardly modify their behavior and environment 5. Maintenance—successful behavior change for 6 months or longer 6. Termination—people are no longer tempted by the behavior which they have changed Reliability The extent to which a test yields consistent results. Validity The ability of a test to measure what it was designed to measure. Screening Instrument Distinguishes individuals who DO NOT have a disorder from those who might have one. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Screening Instrument 10 item assessment. Developed by World Health Organization (WHO). Asks about frequency of drinking, alcohol dependence, and problems caused by alcohol. Scores range form 0 to 40, with a score of 8 or higher indicating the likelihood of harmful alcohol consumption. CAGE Screening Instrument Questions: 1. Have you ever felt you should CUT down on your drinking? 2. Have people ever ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking? 3. Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking? 4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning? EYE OPENER * One yes = possibility of alcohol dependence Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) Screening Instrument Used to detect abuse of or dependence on drugs other than alcohol. Provides a measure of lifetime problem severity. Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) Screening Instrument Requires yes/no answers to 25 questions. Scores indicate: Absence of alcohol dependence (0 to 3) Possible substance dependence (4) Likely alcohol dependence (5 or higher) Also available: Brief MAST (10 items) Short MAST (13 items) SMAST Geriatric MAST (MAST-G) Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) Screening Instrument An answer of yes to one or more questions = possibility of alcohol dependence during the past year. Questions have t do with remorse, amnesia, performance of life duties, and starting the day with alcohol. Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) Screening Instrument Brief self-report designed to identify individuals with a high probability of having a substance related disorder. SASSI-A2 is for clients aged 12 to 18. TWEAK Screening Instrument Five item instrument was designed to screen for harmful drinking in pregnant women. Questions have to do with tolerance, worry of close friends and relatives, eye openers, amnesia (black-outs), and felt need to cut down. Time Line Follow Back (TLFB) Procedure Comprehensive Measure Makes connections between significant events in the clients life and alcohol/drug use patterns and intensity for the past year. includes a calendar and a standard drink conversion chart to aid memory. Useful with older adults. Diagnostic Instruments 1. Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) - 25 items. provides quantitative measure of severity of alcohol dependence. 2. Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS-IV) Alcohol Module. - 28 questions permit diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. 3. Impaired Control Scale (ICS). Paper and pencil self-administered instrument measures clients attempts to control their drinking during the last 6 months and their perception of their ability to control it now. Treatment Planning The process in which the counselor and the client identify and rank issues requiring resolution, establish agreed upon immediate and long-term needs/goals, and decide on the treatment methods and resources to be used. Addiction Severity Index (ASI) Instruments to Aid in TX Planning Semi-structured inventory with 7 sub-scales addressing problems in the areas of: 1. family/social status 2. medical status 3. employment and support 4. drug use 5. alcohol use 6. legal status 7. psychiatric status Useful with adults Alcohol Use Inventory (AUI) Instruments to Aid in TX Planning Self report inventory is multiple choice for ages 16 and up. Based on multiple condition theory. Multiple Condition Theory Takes into account individuals different styles of drinking, perceptions of alcohol's benefits and consequences, and how they want to deal with drinking problems. Coping Behaviors Inventory Instruments to Aid in TX Planning Measures factors that are related to relapse risk: positive thinkig, negative thinking, avoidance/distraction, and seeking social supports.