According to the Mayo Clinic, a diagnosis of alcoholism or substance abuse must be made by a qualified medical professional. A doctor or psychologist will typically use a questionnaire or checklist that outlines many of the criteria and symptoms of substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, notes that a person suffering from substance abuse must have an individualized medical and psychological assessment in order for a doctor or psychologist to develop the most effective treatment plan.
Symptoms of Substance Abuse
According to the Mayo Clinic, substance abuse is characterized by a compulsive need to consume alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Continued abuse will produce symptoms of physical addiction, just as craving for the substance and physical withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, nausea, and sweating with discontinued use. People suffering from substance abuse often experience difficulties in their work or personal lives due to their frequent use of intoxicating substances.
Psychological Assessments for Substance Abuse
According to the Mayo Clinic, substance abuse and addictions to drugs or alcohol must be diagnosed by a qualified health professional. An individual will typically be interviewed about his patterns of substance use, the length of his use, and any associated personal, legal or health problems. Substance abuse disorders are diagnosed using psychosocial criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manuel of Mental Disorders, or DSM, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. Medical professionals use a checklist of behaviors and symptoms as outlined in the DSM to determine if addiction is present. The psychological evaluation process is based on the client's own self-disclosed information, and the evaluating professional's own observations. When permission is granted by a client, the evaluator may also gather information from family members or friends.
Medical Evaluations and Substance Abuse
While the Mayo Clinic notes that there is no specific physical test to diagnose substance abuse, a treatment center or medical professional may order a physical exam to assess associated conditions, such as liver function and nutrition. Individuals with serious substance abuse disorders often suffer from liver damage and poor nutrition. In addition, some treatment centers request routinely scheduled blood or urine tests to screen for continued substance use.
Substance Abuse Treatment
NIDA and the Mayo Clinic note that there are a wide variety of substance abuse treatment approaches. Patients with severe problems may need to enter a residential treatment that has medical facilities for detoxification. Residential treatment allows patients who experience severe physical and psychological withdrawal to have direct access to medical care. Treatment for substance abuse typically includes individual and group psychotherapy, ongoing medical consultations, and gradual transition to outpatient psychotherapy and community support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Expert Insight
Experts at NIDA note that substance abuse is a very complex illness and because it varies greatly among individuals, a detailed and accurate assessment of an individual's needs is critical to effective treatment planning. NIDA suggests that treatment methods should address the medical and psychological needs of the patient. As a patient goes through recovery, his needs and behaviors may change, and a treatment plan should be modified to ensure that it meets these changing needs.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Helping Patients who Drink Too Much
- Mayo Clinic: Alcoholism: Tests and Diagnosis
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction
- The Addiction Research Institute: Alcohol and Substance Abuse Measurement Instrument Collection
