Substance Use Assessments
Independent clinical evaluation • ASAM level-of-care recommendations • Written report
A clear assessment. A clinically defensible recommendation.
Substance-use questions can carry real consequences for treatment, work, relationships, legal matters, and major life decisions. The evaluation is designed to answer a specific clinical or referral question through a structured review of the actual pattern of use, current functioning, DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, relevant risk factors, co-occurring concerns, recovery environment, and level-of-care needs using the ASAM Criteria® framework when appropriate.
Diagnostic Clarity
Review the pattern, consequences, control, impairment, tolerance, withdrawal, and other information relevant to a DSM-5-TR substance-use diagnosis.
Level of Care
Consider the intensity and type of treatment that fits the current clinical picture rather than assuming everyone needs the same intervention.
Written Findings
Receive a concise clinical report summarizing the assessment, diagnostic impression, relevant risk, and recommendations.
Independent Opinion
The conclusion is based on the assessment itself. Payment does not purchase a particular diagnosis, recommendation, or legal outcome.
One structured process from referral question to written recommendation.
The standard evaluation is designed for straightforward cases that can be completed within the normal assessment scope. More extensive forensic work, large record sets, attorney conferences, testimony, or additional collateral review may require a separate fee.
Clarify the Referral
Before scheduling, identify who is requesting the evaluation, the specific question being asked, any deadline, and any requirements from a court, probation officer, attorney, employer, licensing body, or other referring source.
Complete SUD Intake Paperwork
Substance-use intake forms and relevant history are completed before the appointment. This allows the interview to focus on clarification, patterns, consequences, risk, prior treatment, recovery history, and areas that require deeper assessment.
Clinical Interview
Complete a 60-minute structured assessment covering substance use, functioning, prior treatment, mental-health and medical factors, consequences, risk, supports, recovery environment, and current goals.
Clinical Synthesis
Integrate the intake, interview, relevant screening measures, DSM-5-TR criteria, limited supporting records, and ASAM Criteria® dimensions to determine diagnostic and level-of-care findings.
Written Report
Receive a concise clinical report summarizing the referral question, relevant history, diagnostic impression, ASAM findings when applicable, level-of-care considerations, and recommendations supported by the assessment.
The assessment looks across the whole clinical picture.
For adult level-of-care assessment, the current ASAM Criteria® uses six dimensions. The dimensions help organize risk and treatment needs so the recommendation reflects more than frequency of substance use alone.
Intoxication, Withdrawal & Addiction Medications
Current intoxication or withdrawal risk and medication needs related to addiction treatment.
Biomedical Conditions
Physical-health concerns that may affect safety, treatment participation, or the appropriate setting of care.
Psychiatric & Cognitive Conditions
Mental-health symptoms, trauma-related needs, cognitive functioning, and other co-occurring clinical concerns.
Substance Use-Related Risks
The likelihood and seriousness of risky substance use or substance-related behaviors without appropriate intervention.
Recovery Environment Interactions
Safety, support, stability, and the ways the current environment may strengthen or undermine recovery.
Person-Centered Considerations
Barriers to care, preferences, practical realities, and motivational needs that influence whether treatment can actually work.
The recommendation follows the findings.
An evaluation may support no current treatment recommendation, outpatient services, a more structured level of care, medical assessment, additional mental-health evaluation, or another clinically appropriate next step. The result depends on the information obtained.
Evaluation grounded in licensure, addiction-specific credentialing, and work across the continuum of care.
Substance-use evaluation requires more than familiarity with addiction. It requires the authority to assess and diagnose, the ability to determine treatment needs, and enough experience with different levels of care to make a recommendation that fits the clinical picture.
Qualified Professional under Chapter 397
Florida Statute §397.311(36) includes professionals licensed under Chapter 491 within the definition of a “qualified professional” for substance-abuse services. As a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Brian is independently licensed to assess, diagnose, and provide behavioral-health services within the scope of that license.
Addiction-specific assessment credential
The Florida Certification Board identifies Certified Addiction Professionals (CAPs) as qualified professionals under Chapter 397. The CAP credential reflects demonstrated clinical skills in substance-use screening, assessment, intake, treatment planning, counseling, case management and referral, documentation, and recovery-oriented services.
Experience across multiple levels of addiction care
Brian's clinical experience has included detox, residential addiction treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, Florida Assertive Community Treatment Team, and private practice. That range provides practical familiarity with how needs and risks differ across levels of care.
Evaluations can serve clinical, personal, employment, and legal referral questions.
People are sometimes seeking their own clarity. In other cases, another professional or organization wants an independent clinical opinion about substance use and treatment needs.
Attorneys & Legal Referrals
Clinical evaluation requested in connection with a legal matter when an independent behavioral-health assessment is appropriate.
Court or Probation Referrals
Assessment of substance-use concerns and treatment needs when the referring authority accepts an independent qualified provider.
Employment or Professional Concerns
Evaluation following a workplace concern, incident, or request when the employer or referring entity permits a private clinical evaluator.
Treatment Placement
Determine whether treatment appears clinically indicated and what level or intensity of service fits the current needs.
Family Concerns
Provide a structured clinical picture when family members are worried about substance use and the individual wants an independent assessment.
Personal Clarification
For someone who wants a direct assessment of whether their use meets diagnostic criteria or warrants treatment.
A defined service with a defined price.
Flat fee for the standard evaluation process, including referral review, pre-appointment SUD intake, clinical interview, synthesis, and written report.
Service code: HCPCS H0001 — Alcohol and/or drug assessment.
Extensive record review, substantial collateral work, attorney consultation, deposition preparation, testimony, court appearance, or expanded forensic reporting falls outside the standard $400 service and may be quoted separately.
Know what this evaluation can — and cannot — do.
What do I complete before the appointment?
Substance-use intake paperwork is completed before the clinical interview. If the evaluation was requested by a court, probation officer, attorney, employer, licensing body, or other third party, provide the written referral requirements and any relevant documents before the appointment whenever possible.
Will the report say that I do not need treatment?
The report will state what the assessment supports. The conclusion may include no current treatment recommendation, a particular level of care, additional evaluation, or another clinically appropriate next step. A specific outcome cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Will a court, probation officer, employer, or attorney accept the report?
Acceptance depends on the requirements of the referring authority. Confirm required credentials, provider approvals, testing, report format, and deadlines before scheduling.
Is this the same as ongoing therapy?
This is a clinical evaluation service focused on assessment and recommendations. Ongoing therapy is a separate service. Depending on the referral question and need for evaluator neutrality, treatment and evaluation roles may need to remain separate.
Can records or collateral information be reviewed?
Limited relevant records can be considered within the standard evaluation. Large record sets, multiple collateral contacts, or extensive third-party consultation may require additional fees.
What if there is active intoxication or dangerous withdrawal?
This outpatient evaluation is not an emergency or medically managed withdrawal service. Acute intoxication, overdose risk, severe withdrawal, or another urgent medical concern requires immediate medical evaluation.
Get a clear clinical assessment and a recommendation you can understand.
Before scheduling for a court, probation, employer, attorney, or other third-party referral, obtain the written requirements so provider qualifications and reporting expectations can be reviewed first.
Request an Evaluation