Where to Get a Substance Use Assessment in Hazlet, NJ

If you struggle with substance use, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people suffered from a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]

Regularly using drugs or alcohol causes your brain and body to grow accustomed to it. Over time, you’ll develop a substance use disorder. It can be difficult to recognize the signs of a substance use disorder in yourself, especially due to the way drugs and alcohol affect your thinking and behavioral patterns.

The best way to evaluate your drug and alcohol use is to receive a substance use assessment. These diagnostic tools help professionals determine whether you have a substance use disorder and create a treatment plan based on your needs.

You can receive a drug and alcohol evaluation in a variety of settings. For example, your primary care physician or doctor can complete an assessment. You can also go to a therapist, psychiatrist, or a substance use treatment center like Blue Star Recovery to receive one.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is a drug and alcohol assessment?
• Where can you receive a substance use assessment?
• What are the signs that you need a substance use evaluation?

What is a Substance Use Assessment?

Health professionals and substance use experts use drug and alcohol evaluations to determine if you are struggling with a substance use disorder. This tool also helps them figure out the severity of your symptoms and what types of treatment will be beneficial for you.

The main purposes of a substance use assessment include:

• Diagnosing substance use disorder
• Evaluating the severity of your drug and alcohol use
• Determining if you have a co-occurring mental health condition
• Assessing your family’s history of substance use and mental health
• Figuring out if you need specialized care like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or dual diagnosis services
• Allowing your treatment team to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs and goals for recovery

Every substance use treatment center begins the process with an in-depth drug and alcohol assessment. However, you do not have to attend a treatment center to receive one. You can undergo a substance use disorder evaluation at a doctor’s office, a therapy appointment, or a psychiatrist’s appointment.

Where Can You Get a Substance Use Evaluation in Hazlet, NJ?

If you are worried about your drug and alcohol use, it’s time to get a substance use evaluation. If you are wondering where to receive one in Hazlet, you’ve come to the right place.

The main places you can receive a substance use evaluation in Hazlet, NJ, include:

• Doctor’s Offices – If you have a primary care physician that you trust, you can ask them to evaluate you for a substance use disorder. After the assessment is completed, they can refer you to whatever type of substance use care they believe is right for you.
• Therapy Sessions – Therapists are also qualified to assess you for substance use disorders. If you regularly see a therapist, they might already be familiar with your drug and alcohol use. Once the evaluation is complete, they can refer you to a substance use treatment center in Hazlet.
• Psychiatrist Appointments – A part of a psychiatrist’s job is to diagnose you with mental health conditions. Because substance use disorder is considered a mental health condition, your psychiatrist can evaluate you to determine if you need further treatment.
• Substance Use Treatment Centers – Whether you attend a partial care or outpatient treatment center, your program will begin with an in-depth substance use assessment. At Blue Star Recovery, we use drug and alcohol assessments to guide our treatment planning process.

Signs You Need a Substance Use Evaluation

If you are engaging in regular drug or alcohol use, you might want to be evaluated for a substance use disorder. Any type of substance use that is impacting your daily life indicates you need an evaluation.

Some of the signs that you need a drug and alcohol assessment include:[2]

• Using drugs and alcohol longer or in higher doses than you intended to
• Wanting to quit using substances but being unsuccessful
• Spending a lot of time obtaining or using drugs and alcohol
• Experiencing urges or cravings to abuse substances
• Being unable to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work due to drug and alcohol use
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities to have more time to use substances
• Continuing to use drugs and alcohol despite facing social, mental health, or physical health issues
• Using drugs and alcohol in risky situations, such as while driving
• Needing to increase the dose of a substance to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol

If you notice two or more of the above-mentioned symptoms, you likely have a substance use disorder. Receiving an assessment will kickstart your recovery process and connect you with the proper treatment services.

Get Connected to a Drug and Alcohol Use Assessment in Hazlet

If you or a loved one abuses drugs and alcohol, Blue Star Recovery is here to support you. Our substance use disorder treatment program begins with an in-depth assessment to evaluate the severity of your substance use disorder and determine what types of treatment are best for you.

Contact us today for more information on how to receive a drug and alcohol assessment in Hazlet, New Jersey.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
2. Psychiatry Online: DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders: Recommendations and Rationale