Alcohol & Drug Evaluation

The Alcohol & Drug Evaluation Service at CFIR offers comprehensive psychological assessments of your own or your loved one’s alcohol and drug use. The clinical psychologists in this Service use the information acquired to determine whether alcohol and/or drug use diagnoses are applicable and outline treatment plans for those wanting or needing to change their substance use.

What types of assessment do we offer?

The comprehensive assessment typically involves a thorough evaluation of your own or your loved one’s alcohol and/or drug use, including the nature of use (e.g., history, frequency, quantity), related symptoms and diagnoses, and other factors related to use and recovery (e.g., motivation to change), as well as co-occurring negative emotions, psychiatric and personality disorders. Through clinical interviews and psychological testing in which only the most scientific, evidence-based questionnaires are used, the clinical psychologists are able to provide you with an overall picture of your substance use and related struggles. These assessments are also used for the purpose of providing or clarifying substance use-related diagnoses, and constructing treatment plans to support you to reduce associated harm or to abstain from substance use.

How do I know if I, or a loved one, need an alcohol and/or drug evaluation?

Do any of these substance use-related experiences apply to you or your loved one?

  • Using a substance in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended
  • Unsuccessful attempts or longstanding wishes to cut down, control or stop substance use
  • Spending too much time consuming or recovering from use of a substance
  • Having uncontrollable cravings or strong desires to use a substance
  • Experiencing difficulties at work, school or home due to substance use
  • Continued substance use despite problems in couple and family relationships (e.g., conflict, emotional distancing or withdrawal)
  • Using the substance in increasingly risky or dangerous ways
  • Previous quantities used no longer provide the desired effect (i.e., increasing substance tolerance)
  • Experiencing negative consequences to physical and/or psychological health during or after using the substance (e.g., depression, anxiety, shame and guilt, hallucinations, traumatic experiences, physical withdrawal)

Has it been suggested or are you required to obtain an alcohol and drug use evaluation following one of the situations below?

  • Criminal offense (e.g., possession, trafficking, assault under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs)
  • Driver’s license suspension
  • Workplace difficulties (e.g., suspension)

Help Is Available

If you said yes to any of the above items, or if any of the above situations apply to you you might consider meeting with one of the highly trained mental health professionals in the Alcohol & Drug Evaluation Service at CFIR. Clinicians in this Service can provide you with a comprehensive assessment and then support you in getting the help you need to address your substance use-related concerns or difficulties.

How can I get a referral to the Alcohol & Drug Evaluation Service? Who can refer to this service?

You can refer yourself or a loved one to the service.

Health care professionals, including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers may also refer their patients who require substance use evaluations.

Lawyers can refer any of their clients involved in alcohol and/or drug-related criminal offenses or work-related issues who require substance use evaluations.

What’s involved in an alcohol & drug evaluation? How long will the evaluation take?

Typically, we meet with you or your loved one for an initial appointment to begin to understand your specific alcohol and/or drug use-related concerns (e.g., reasons an evaluation is required, history of substance use). Following the initial meeting, we will conduct one or two sessions involving a clinical interview to further understand your alcohol and/or drug use and assess for possible co-occurring psychiatric and personality symptoms. We will then administer a range of scientific, evidence-based questionnaires to understand substance use-related factors (e.g., motivation to change use). Following this process, your clinical psychologist will bring together the results of the clinical interviews and questionnaires. An additional session may be required to further clarify their understanding of your difficulties. A diagnosis is rendered or clarified on the basis of this process, if appropriate and desired, and recommendations for treatment are provided to guide you or your loved one toward your substance use-related goals. You will be provided feedback on the results of the evaluation, and any questions you may have about the results will be addressed.

The entire evaluation process, which includes an initial appointment, clinical interviews, administration of questionnaires, assessment feedback, and a report with recommendations (if needed) will take approximately four weeks to complete. Please consult your clinical psychologists to determine the length of time required to complete your particular evaluation.

What type of report or recommendations might I expect?

Following your evaluation and feedback, your clinical psychologist will provide you with a full and thorough list of recommendations to support you in addressing your concerns. The recommendations provided may include suggestions for further specialized assessment, specific psychological treatment approaches best suited to address your concerns, and referrals to other health care professionals based on your goals and needs.

Find A Therapist

We have many mental health therapists at each of our locations who offer this service. Please select a location below to see a list: