A Chemical Health Assessment (schedule: 612-249-3656) is a short, one-time interview between a person who may have an alcohol or drug problem and a medical professional. During this interview, the medical professional determines if a person has a diagnosable “substance use disorder,” which is a medical condition that is also known as alcoholism, chemical dependency, or drug addiction.
What are some other names for a Chemical Health Assessment MN?
Chemical Health Assessments have many different names, all meaning the same thing. Some of the other common names are Chemical Dependency Evaluation, CD Evaluation, Alcohol Assessment, Chemical Health Evaluation, and Rule 25 Assessment. Essentially, all of these are the same thing as they utilize the same 16-page “Rule 25” interview form that asks questions on physical, mental, social, financial, psychological, and chemical health.
How to pass a chemical dependency evaluation?
The fear of being mislabeled or misdiagnosed as an alcoholic or drug addict is a valid concern. This can lead to costly treatment or “rehab” that takes a person out of society for many weeks.
Make sure to meet with a “private” evaluator who will listen to you and utilize your thoughts during the assessment. Call 612.249.3656 to speak to Michael, a court- and MN-certified private evaluator.
Evaluators screen for the following symptoms of substance abuse and chemical dependency, or what is now referred to as substance use disorders:
Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than the you meant to
Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance
Cravings and urges to use the substance
Not managing to do what you should at work, home or school, because of substance use
Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships
Giving up important social, occupational or recreational activities because of substance use
Using substances again and again, even when it puts the you in danger
Continuing to use, even when the you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance
Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance)
Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance.
Before an evaluator can diagnose a “substance use disorder” and recommend treatment services, they must count up the number of symptoms to determine severity.
Less than four symptoms, “mild.”
Four or five symptoms, “moderate.”
More than five symptoms, “severe.”
However according to research, not all evaluators base their decision to send a person to treatment on these criteria. This can be due to a lack of training. This can also be due to bias as treatment center evaluators may feel pressure to increase referrals into their services, and send people to expensive, intensive treatment. This may be profitable for the treatment center, but would lead to inappropriate, burdensome treatment.
To ensure you are listened to during your MN evaluation and have a correct diagnosis, make sure to hire a private evaluator who works for you and understands that you know yourself and your situation better than anyone else. Call (612) 249-3656 to speak to Michael, a medical professional who conducts chemical health assessments in private practice.
Locations for a Chemical Health Evaluations
Michael provides private, court- and Minnesota-certified Chemical Health Assessments to individuals in St Paul, Minneapolis and the surrounding metro. He can be reached directly at 612-249-3656.
Schedule your appointment by calling 612-249-3656.
The day of your appointment, bring your photo identification and court documents (such as a letter from MN Driving and Vehicle Services or a DUI or DWI citation).
Meet with your Assessor for the Chemical Health Evaluation interview.
Provide contact information for “collateral contacts,” which are the people that need to be involved in the assessment.
After the assessment, a recommendation letter will be sent to you with your chemical dependency evaluation results.
Patient rights during a Chemical Health Assessment in MN
You have the right to respect – the same courtesy that you expect from any other medical professional.
You have the right to not to be pressured into treatment or “rehab.”
You have the right to agree to or decline any recommended treatment services. You are the ultimate authority of your own health care.
You have the right to a second opinion if you disagree with your Chemical Health Assessment.
Chemical Health Assessment are also referred to as Substance Use Assessments, Rule 25 Assessments, Chemical Dependency Evaluations, CD Assessments, and Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder Assessments.