The Drug Treatment professionals first tend to conduct an addiction assessment. This is done for a variety of reasons, mostly to determine what kind of treatment is in order. The assessment will probably be a list of questions to give the health professionals a history of their patient, such as current situation, length of time and type of drug addiction, criminal history, health history, and so on. They will also ask the new patient about personal goals and ambitions, family structure, and school or work experience. The medical staff will conduct a physical exam, and will note any other disorders the patient is dealing with, such as depression or anxiety. The patient is asked to be open and honest about all these questions, and the answers are to be kept confidential.

The goal of obtaining these answers is to have a measure of how severe the patient’s addiction is, to look at other factors influencing the patient, and also to know how serious the patient is about getting help. The interview process can give the professional a good understanding about the patient and help them find the best treatment for the addiction. It will also help the staff evaluate the progress the patient is making as they undergo treatment.

After the assessment has been completed, the staff will work with the patient to develop a treatment plan. This plan will give the patient an idea of the type of program that is recommended, as well as the length of time they can expect to be in treatment. It may be necessary for the patient to work with different professionals, such as counselors and physicians, and to take part in programs such as group therapy, family counseling, and individual counseling. The treatment plan will make sure that all the pieces are lined up and the patient receives all the care they need.

During this whole process, the patient should be sure they are asking questions they might have, and should be put at ease by the staff about any concerns they have.