Chemical Dependency Assessment

Chemical Dependency Assessment

        AUDIT, which stands for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a questionnaire.  It contains ten questions that will determine if a person has an alcohol substance abuse problem or not. The questionnaire was invented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has to be deemed to be extremely accurate.  “The AUDIT was developed on the basis of an extensive six-nation validation trial. Additional research has been conducted to evaluate its accuracy and utility in different settings, populations, and cultural groups10” (WHO, AUDIT).  The test identifies 95% of individuals as either alcoholics or non-alcoholics. It is not gender, race or age specific and works efficiently across all cultural groups and populations. The AUDIT is popular among primary care managers/workers and should always be administered by professionals. The questionnaire is broken down by questions into certain categories. The questions are scored on a 0-4 point scale. Those questions are scored as: Never (0), Monthly or less (1), 2 to 4 times a month (2), 2 to 3 times a week (3), 4 or more times a week (4). Questions 1-3 are ones centered around how much and how often the client drinks. Questions 4-6 revolve more around the dependence of the alcohol. Questions 7-10 asked about the after effects and what harmful consequences if any, where there. The AUDIT can be administered in two different ways, as a survey or in an interview setting. If further information is needed after the questionnaire is reviewed, the professional should conduct or recommend clinical screening. A proper screening can show different results and signs of things the client could be in danger of happening if a course of action does not take place.  Once the AUDIT is reviewed and a score has been calculated, a type of intervention is shown based on the numbers. There are different risk levels based on the answers and calculations which are divided into four categories. The first zone is considered the alcohol education level and is for those who have a score of 0-7. The second zone is for those who score ranges between 8-15 and the intervention is considered to be advice. A score in the range of 16-19 is zone 3 and the intervention is simple advice with brief counseling along with monitoring. Zone 4 is the most serious and comes with a referral to receive special help for evaluation and treatment. The score to reach this zone is between 20-40. There is a shorter version of the AUDIT, which is called AUDIT-C, but is just as accurate and only has 3 consumption items.

        Based on the AUDIT results, my client had a score of 30.  With this score, further evaluation is needed to determine a way forward for the client. The client is in need of intervention and specialized treatment. The AUDIT has screened for harmful risk with the client and the total score has identified their level of risk, and in this case the client needs treatment for alcohol dependence.  As stated an AUDIT score of 20-40 is zone 4 and the intervention calls for a referral to specialist for diagnostic evaluation and treatment. The first step I took was to talk with them about the results and how the drinking is affecting their social life and their health. This conversation took place on a concerned level and not from the standpoint of a professional. If I was working in the field for a company, the next step would be to set up continued counseling sessions and get a referral to see a specialist. Alcohol specialty care is needed for this client and they have to be willing to accept referral and treatment. My client is unwilling to admit their dependence on alcohol and the fact that they need treatment, therefore getting them to be diagnosed by a qualified professional who is trained in alcohol disorders would be paramount. In certain cases detoxification is necessary, depending on any withdrawal symptoms, laboratory test and physical examination.

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