Positive Sobriety Institute takes a comprehensive approach to assessment to determine if there is an addiction, the degree of addiction and what co-occurring physical or mental health disorders may be contributing. Our experts include board-certified psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners and licensed professional counselors who look at the whole person. The expertise and experience of our multidisciplinary team, combined with our thorough and thoughtful intake assessment, gets at the root of the behavior, uncovers hidden issues and ensures an accurate diagnosis. From there, we develop an individualized treatment and recovery plan.
Addiction and Psychiatric Assessment. Learn more
Comprehensive Assessment
- Complete medical and diagnostic history.
- In-depth psychiatric evaluation to diagnose dual disorders.
- Psychological and personality testing to offer individuals insights into their behavior, interactions, emotional state and motivations.
- Physical exam with internal medicine physician.
- Development of comprehensive recovery plan.
Each person who comes to Positive Sobriety Institute for an evaluation is treated as a unique individual deserving of our unconditional respect, objectivity, focus, effort and professionalism. This is the cornerstone of all we do.
In-Depth Psychiatric Evaluation
Recent data reveals that 45 to 60% of those diagnosed with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring psychiatric illness. The goals of Positive Sobriety Institute’s psychiatric evaluation includes: to establish whether a mental disorder or other condition requiring the attention of a psychiatrist is present; to collect sufficient data to support a diagnosis; to develop an initial treatment plan; and to identify longer-term issues that need to be considered in follow-up care.
The evaluation explores psychiatric, medical, social, and developmental history, previous psychiatric assessments, treatments, and degree of adherence to past treatments. The psychiatric evaluation investigates the history of addiction, the substance(s) abused, and attempts to gain a broader perspective on the individual’s personality by reviewing significant life events – current and past – and the patient’s responses to them.
Our board-certified experts obtain a complete, objective picture from the evaluation to determine whether mental health auxiliary services will benefit a patient and maximize addiction recovery.
Physical Exam
Patients struggling with addiction and mental health disorders often neglect other aspects of their health, from blood pressure to diabetes. Likewise, conditions such as chronic pain and insomnia may fuel addiction. Individuals with an addiction or suspected of having an addiction may also have neurological conditions that impact their behavior.
During the comprehensive assessment, we evaluate all of the conditions that can compromise health and well-being. Positive Sobriety Institute has an internal medicine physician on staff and available to our patients. We also arrange consultations and appointments with a full range of specialists at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine when needed.
Multidisciplinary, Comprehensive Fitness for Duty Evaluation
Positive Sobriety Institute also offers the Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), an in-depth medical and psychological evaluation for physicians, nurses, dentists, attorneys and other professionals in highly accountable roles.
Regulatory agencies, licensing boards and employers rely on the MCAP to assess workplace issues and determine fitness for duty. MCAP evaluates substance use, psychiatric issues, personality disorders and disruptive behavior. We emphasize compassion and confidentiality for the individual, while ensuring that referring entities receive the information they need to determine whether an individual can practice with reasonable skill and safety, and does not pose a risk to themselves or others.
We have many years of experience working through these issues with employers and referring agencies. MCAP ensures employers meet legal obligations for a safe and productive workplace, as well as protecting the rights of their employees.
Individualized Treatment Plan
Our multidisciplinary team uses the comprehensive assessment to recommend an individualized treatment plan, incorporating the most effective medical, psychiatric and therapeutic strategies for each patient. The treatment plan addresses every aspect of a patient’s mental, physical and emotional health, as well as their social support structure, including:
- The type of substances used, the amount of substances used, and the frequency of use.
- The individual’s genetic vulnerability for developing a substance use disorder(s).
- The degree to which behavioral control is lost during intoxication.
- The severity of the disorder, the rate of disease onset, and the degree of impairment.
- The known consequences germane to the patient’s use of intoxicants.
- The individual’s awareness, or lack thereof, regarding of the impact of substance use on his or her life, and on those they care for.
- The individuals level of defensiveness and their alibi system.
- The individual’s readiness for change and motivation to enter into treatment for the purpose of change.
- The associated general medical and psychiatric conditions (either co-occurring or induced by substance use).
- The individual’s strengths (protective and resiliency factors) and vulnerabilities.
- The social, environmental, and cultural context in which the individual lives and will be treated.
- The emotional health and capacity of the family to engage in the treatment process, e.g., family treatment program.
This comprehensive approach ensures that the needs of the patient are matched with the optimal treatment modalities, in the appropriate level of care.
