Professional Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Services in Wilmington, NC

Has your substance abuse started to affect your daily routine? Does it make it hard for you to perform the most important tasks at hand? Recent data show that 1 in 6 adults is estimated to have a substance use disorder in NC. A professional drug and alcohol evaluation can serve as a first step to recovery. Drug and Alcohol Evaluation services at EHG of NC may include:

• Substance use screening assessments
• Confidential clinical interviews
• Standardized diagnostic questionnaires
• Psychological assessments
• Review of medical and legal history
• Treatment recommendations (IOP, PHP, or inpatient care)
• Dual diagnosis screening
• Medication-assisted treatment referrals

Worried about ongoing alcohol or drug use that takes up your life? Take your first step by searching for drug and alcohol evaluations near you. Get your substance evaluation at EHG of NC. Call us at 910-335-9102 or fill out the online form.

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What Are Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Services in North Carolina?

An Alcohol & Drug Evaluation (Substance Abuse Evaluation), also known as Chemical Dependence Assessment, is a standard psychosocial assessment criterion.

1. Alcohol evaluation services examine drinking patterns, health effects, and behavioral issues.
2. Drug evaluation services focus on the specific type of drug, usage frequency, and physical or psychological dependence. The evaluation reviews the use of substances such as:
   • Marijuana
   • Cocaine
   • Opioids
   • Methamphetamine

If you’re currently using these stimulants, check out how long cocaine lasts or how long meth stays in your system for post-substance evaluation treatment planning.

What’s Included in Professional Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services in Wilmington, NC?

During the evaluation, the LCAS conducts a complete assessment to diagnose chemical dependency. Our standard drug abuse evaluation includes two core steps:

• Screening identifies if a potential substance use issue exists.
• Assessment provides a thorough analysis of the extent of substance use and its effects.

Step 01: Screening Phase

The initial screen phase provides insight into potential substance use. Our specialist will ask different questions. This brief questionnaire focuses on substance use patterns and related consequences and typically requires simple yes-or-no responses.

Common question forms used are:

• CAGE/CAGE-AID
• Alcohol Use Inventory (AUI)
• Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI)
• Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST-10)
• Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT)
• Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use (TAPS)

Step 02: Comprehensive Assessment Phase

If the initial screening shows potential concerns, the individual needs a more detailed assessment. Our Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist will follow the following steps to assess:

1. In-depth interview and detailed substance use history to obtain history of use, patterns, frequency, amount used, and circumstances leading to use.
2. Examination of life impacts due to substance use on relationships, work, health, and legal status.
3. Use of standardized assessment tools to determine addiction severity that will help to break the addiction cycle, such as: 

• Diagnostic Interview Schedule-IV (DIS-IV)
• Addiction Severity Index (ASI)
• DSM-V Criteria
• Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
• Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)

7 Types of Substance Use Evaluations EHG of NC Offers in Wilmington

Depending on the substance abuse conditions, the types of evaluation we offer are: 

1. Standard Substance Use Assessment to determine the presence and extent of substance use issues
2. Court-Ordered Evaluation of legal incidents that include specific documentation for the court system
3. DOT SAP Evaluation for transportation workers who violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations
4. Employment/Workplace Evaluation for workplace performance and safety test
5. Comprehensive Assessment of multiple sessions, collateral contacts, and extensive documentation review.
6. Child Welfare-Related Evaluation addresses substance use concerns related to parenting capacity.
7. DUI/DWI Assessment checks alcohol/drug use related to impaired driving.

Treatment Programs & Therapies Offered After Drug and Alcohol Evaluation At EHG of NC

The LCAS specialist thoroughly reviews the screening and assessment and suggests services based on the extent of substance use, such as:

• Recommend IP, IOP, or PHP sessions. 
• Addressing co-occurring conditions like mental health and addiction issues together. 
• If the situation is less serious, an individual can get basic counseling sessions.

1) ASAM Level of Treatment Settings

The treatment recommendations are based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines, also known as the ASAM criteria. Levels are:

Counseling Sessions

Counseling sessions help individuals address: 

• Emotional Triggers
• Trauma
• Relationship Problems
• Behavioral Patterns Related To Drug Use

The sessions are of:

• Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions address the personal triggers, coping mechanisms, and recovery objectives.
• Group Therapy: Peer session for accountability and shared learning.
• Family Therapy: Engaging family members in treatment to repair relationships and build support networks.

2) Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis is a condition where people with substance use problems have co-morbid mental illnesses. The dual diagnosis treatment of co-occurring disorders involves:

• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Combined Treatment Of The Two Disorders
• Medication management and ongoing monitoring
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Follow-Up Mental Health Observation

Before enrolling in a program to treat co-occurring disorders, ask these questions to choose a dual diagnosis treatment program.

3) Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with therapy and counseling. 

In case of alcohol use disorder (AUD), drugs can include:

• Naltrexone
• Acamprosate
• Disulfiram

In case of opioid use disorder, medications can be:

• Buprenorphine
• Methadone

MAT is effective for:

• Reduce Cravings
• Decreases Relapse Rates
• Enhances Retention In The Long-Term Treatment
• Lowers Overdose Risk

4) Psychotherapies

Psychotherapies, such as talk therapy and trauma therapy, deal with the psychological patterns of addiction. Such approaches involve:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identify and restructure negative thought patterns. Moreover, CBT offers different ways to build coping skills.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on distress tolerance and emotion regulation. Compare these two DBT vs. CBT to understand which therapy suits your needs.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Assists in dealing with trauma associated with drug use.

A Client Who Received Alcohol and Drug Assessment Services at EHG of NC says…

“My workplace required a drug/alcohol evaluation for the record. My coworker from Raleigh suggested that I should go to EHG of NC for the assessment. 

I called the team, and after a thorough counselling session, the professional guided me through the steps. Overall, it was a smooth process in a safe environment.”

Call Now | 910-335-9102

Who Should Consider a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation?

People suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues seek drug and alcohol assessment. Reasons for the NC DWI and related services evaluation are:

1) DUIs and legal charges of court orders, such as:

• DUI/DWI arrest or conviction
• Being charged with minor in possession (MIP)
• Following an arrest for drug possession

2) Employment situations, under:

• Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations
• Return-to-work assessments

3) Personal voluntary reasons, including:

• Concerned about one’s own substance use
• Family involvement due to observed problematic alcohol/drug use
• Seeking the right type of treatment for substance use

How Substance Evaluations Support Real Recovery at EHG of NC

Upset about your substance use, and don’t know where to take the first step? Empower Health Group of North Carolina offers a substance use evaluation that helps in better treatment:

• Manage Alcohol Or Drug Use Cravings
• Reduces Triggers Using FDA-Approved Medications
• Control Intense Emotions Related To Use
• Overcome Negative Behaviors
• Process Harmful Thoughts

We accept the following insurances:

1. Aetna
2. Cigna
3. United Healthcare
4. BCBS
5. Horizon
6. MHN Insurance
7. HealthNet Insurance
8. Beacon Health
9. Optum Health
10. UMR 
11. Magellan Health

EHG of NC welcomes clients from Wilmington and surrounding communities like Leland, Hampstead, Castle Hayne, and Jacksonville. Call today at 910-335-9102 to schedule your confidential same-day admissions in Wilmington.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Services in Wilmington

People seeking alcohol and drug evaluation services in Wilmington have questions like:

What Are The Different Methods Of Drug Evaluation?

Common methods used in substance use evaluations include:

1. Clinical interviews
2. Standardized screening questionnaires
3. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
4. Psychological assessments
5. Drug testing when necessary

What Is The Diagnostic Evaluation Of Alcohol?

The most commonly used alcohol screening test is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It contains 10 multiple-choice questions about: 

• How much/how often an individual drinks alcohol
• Any alcohol-related problems or reactions
• The answers are scored on a point system

What Are The 4 C’s Of Addiction?

Addiction is a complex phenomenon, and it affects millions of people worldwide. The 4 C’s of addiction are: 

• Control
• Compulsions
• Cravings
• Consequences

What Does a Substance Abuse Evaluation Consist Of?

A substance abuse evaluation is a formal assessment conducted by a licensed professional, and it lasts 60-90 minutes. It consists of:

• Detailed Clinical Interview
• Standardized Screening Questionnaires
• Review Of Medical/Legal History
• Drug Testing

Will I Get Drug Tested At My DUI Class That I Go To Weekly?

No! There is no drug test. But they give you an alcohol breath test at the start of the DUI evaluation session and after lunch.

Is It Hard To Get Your Driver’s License Back After A DUI?

No, it is not hard to reinstate a driver’s license after a DUI conviction. But you may be required to obtain an SR-22 form ².

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References

1. https://www.philadelphia.edu.jo/academics/balakumar/uploads/Introduction-Part-3.pdf
2. https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/suspended-license/types-driver-license-suspensions/financial-responsibility-sr-22
3. https://drugabusestatistics.org/
4. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-z/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics