What Happens During an Admissions Assessment?

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If you are new to rehabilitation, undergoing an admissions assessment might feel scary or overwhelming. The information gathered during the evaluation will help your care team create a personalized treatment plan. Your admissions interview provides us with essential details about your needs and current health. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Assessment comprises a medical and psychological history along with family, social, sexual, and drug use histories and a physical examination.†Newport Beach Recovery Center provides a comprehensive assessment for every new client to ensure they get access to appropriate treatment.

What Should You Expect?

Many people who undergo an admissions assessment have never received professional treatment for their substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “For many people, drug and alcohol problems begin as self-medication: using substances to cope with temporary stress or to manage symptoms of chronic mental health problems they may not even know they have.†The comprehensive admissions assessment at Newport Beach Recovery Center will allow our admissions specialist to determine if there are any undiagnosed co-occurring disorders.

You can expect to do the following during an admissions assessment:

  • Provide family medical history
  • Disclose the substances abused along with how long, what dose, and how frequently they were abused
  • Information on any past treatment or attempts at abstinence
  • Give a detailed description of current thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors regarding substance abuse and treatment
  • Undergo additional testing as needed

The more honest you are during this portion of the admissions process, the easier it will be for your care team to create a personalized treatment plan. If for some reason you can’t be fully honest, they can adjust your treatment plan later on in the process.

What Questions Do They Ask During an Admissions Assessment?

The questions you get asked during the admissions assessment will depend on a range of factors, including the type of substance and degree of symptoms. Your answers will provide a foundation for treatment and recovery.

Some of the questions you may have to answer about your history and experiences include:

  • What is your mental health and substance abuse history?
  • Have you ever undergone treatment for substance use disorder? If so, where, when, and what type of treatment did you experience?
  • What substances have you used? When did you start and stop taking them? What amount did you take?
  • Does your family have any history of substance abuse or mental health disorders?

The questions may seem very personal, and some people worry that the information they provide will be shared with family, coworkers, or law enforcement. Newport Beach Recovery Center does not break client confidentiality except in cases where legally required to do so. We believe that discretion and anonymous services provide more people with the opportunity to get help without shame.

What Information Should You Bring With You to an Admissions Assessment?

During the admissions process, you may need to provide the following information:

  • Your family phone numbers or an emergency contact
  • Details on any current medications, including the name, dose, and prescribing physician
  • Any diagnosed mental health disorders
  • Insurance card

You will provide a lot of information to set the foundation for your treatment. Some people find it helpful to call ahead of time to get a list of all the details they might need to provide.

How Are Admissions Assessments Used to Personalize Treatment?

Newport Beach Recovery Center uses the information provided during admissions assessments to personalize treatment. We believe everyone has unique traumas, needs, and preferences that can guide recovery. Our team will help you determine the best approach to treatment by offering our expert opinions. You will have the ultimate choice on your recovery goals and treatment plan.

An assessment can personalize treatment by doing the following:

  • Identifying problem areas that need addressing
  • Narrowing down possible treatment options
  • Identifying undiagnosed co-occurring disorders

Try to go into the process with an open mind. Everything you share will ensure a more personalized rehabilitation experience.

What Are the Benefits of a Comprehensive Admissions Process?

A comprehensive admissions assessment can benefit individuals who are new to treatment or have recently undergone significant life changes. Our clinician will take into account any diagnosed or undiagnosed issues that might interfere with your ability to achieve and maintain sobriety. We understand that rehabilitation is complex, and you might need several levels of care before you feel confident in your recovery. You can rely on us to work beside you every step of the way.

The primary benefits of honestly answering questions for the admissions process include the following:

  • Proposed treatment options will consist of only relevant services and programs
  • The care team will have access to necessary details, including any instances of relapse
  • Your care team will know what type of support will give you the most significant relief

The more you share with your care team, the better prepared they can be to help you overcome any unexpected challenges.

Some people who struggle with substance abuse might hesitate to get help because they do not know what to expect during the admissions process. One of the most important steps involves a comprehensive assessment that determines your physical and mental health. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses the admissions assessment to determine what treatment approach will work best for each client. During an admissions assessment, you will talk with a mental health professional who will diagnose your condition, get your medical history, and document any relevant information about your health. The information we gather from you during that meeting will provide us with essential details we can use for personalized treatment. To learn more, call us today at (888) 850-0363.

How Are Individualized Treatment Plans for Substance Abuse Created?

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The care team at Newport Beach Recovery Center goes above and beyond for every client to ensure they receive the resources, support, and continued care they need to achieve and maintain sobriety. Our services include a comprehensive individualized treatment plan created through collaboration between the care team and the client. 

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “Among the first steps involved in substance use disorder [SUD] treatment are assessment and diagnosis.†Our care team creates treatment plans after a detailed admission assessment, verified diagnosis, and discussions between the client and care team to determine the best treatment approach. We can adjust treatment plans as necessary during rehabilitation.  

Comprehensive Admissions Assessment 

Newport Beach Recovery Center requires every new client to undergo a comprehensive admissions assessment to ensure clients receive treatment relevant to SUD and related conditions. Some of the areas we assess include: 

  • Dietary needs 
  • Recovery goals 
  • Motivations for change 
  • Mental health history
  • Family history of mental health or substance misuse 
  • Diagnosed disorders
  • Possible undiagnosed disorders
  • Details about previous treatment for substance misuse 
  • Trauma assessment
  • Medical history
  • Social network/ support
  • Legal history

The assessment allows us to determine what factors will impact recovery and how best to treat the SUD and any co-occurring disorders.

Dietary Assessment 

We check dietary requirements for each client and also assess their current dietary health to determine if they require nutritional supplements or counseling as a part of their treatment. Many individuals in recovery have physical health problems caused by a lack of proper nutrition during substance misuse. Essential vitamins and minerals can also directly affect mood and mental health. We assess clients to see if they show signs of deficiencies and then incorporate any necessary dietary supplements into their treatment plan. The care team can help clients establish sustainable eating habits through skill development and health education. 

We do not currently treat active eating disorders. However, our team can provide referrals to facilities that treat eating disorders and co-occurring conditions. 

Setting Realistic Goals 

Recovery goals are only effective if they are realistic and attainable within the treatment time frame. Most people attend structured treatment programs somewhere between several months and several years while gradually transitioning through the various levels of care. We adjust each treatment plan as needed to meet recovery goals and ensure clients can complete those goals within the time frame of treatment. 

Common attainable goals include: 

  • Reaching specific milestones in sobriety 
  • Achieving particular goals in therapy
  • Achieving physical health goals
  • Becoming emotionally stable

Goals will evolve as recovery progresses. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “As clients move through different stages of recovery, treatment must move with them, changing therapeutic strategies and leadership roles with the condition of the clients.†The personalized treatment our team provides makes it easy to adjust the methods we use throughout treatment.

Identifying Motivations

Determining client motivation is one of the essential steps in creating an individualized treatment plan. Once we know what will help a client continue making progress, we can use those motivations during therapy to encourage personal growth. Motivations can sometimes change drastically during treatment as clients become more self-aware and begin to shed irrational beliefs or maladaptive thought patterns. We monitor clients throughout treatment, adjusting the plan as necessary to maintain client engagement. 

How We Assess Treatment Goals 

After the admissions process the client and their case manager collaborate to create treatment goals and a plan to meet these goals that specifically meet their needs.

Typical treatment goals include: 

  • Maintaining sobriety 
  • Decreasing or eliminating symptoms and side effects 
  • Mental health stabilization 
  • Physical recovery 
  • Repairing close relationships 
  • Gaining insight and knowledge of addiction and recovery 
  • Building a strong foundation free of substance abuse
  • Learning coping skills

Our team regularly has one-on-one check-ins with the client to ensure they feel confident in the direction of their recovery and have all the tools they need to transition smoothly to the next level of care.

Why Is Collaboration Essential to Treatment Planning? 

We collaborate with each other and the client to ensure we identify and address all possible issues related to their treatment and recovery. We treat the whole person and not just the substance misuse, which means our team will have in-depth discussions with the client to determine their personal goals and how we can best support them. A positive relationship with the client is essential to ensure an open line of communication during treatment. 

Personalized treatment options available at our facility include: 

  • Recreational activities preferred by the client
  • Group therapy to address specific issues 
  • Individual psychotherapy and trauma therapy 
  • Prescription medication if necessary
  • Detox and withdrawal support

Every client deserves to receive care personalized to their individual needs. We collaborate with clients to give them more control over their own recovery and treatment. The dedicated team at Newport Beach Recovery Center believes everyone deserves access to high-quality, individualized care that will increase the effectiveness of treatments. 

Individualized treatment plans enhance the effectiveness of treatment and improve the outcome for people recovering from substance misuse. We create these plans using comprehensive assessments conducted during the admissions process. In addition to assessments, our team regularly performs progress check-ins to determine if the treatment plan needs to be adjusted in any way. Treatment plans often involve therapy, alternative treatments, prescription medication, peer support, and family involvement in recovery. The care team at our facility uses many resources and treatment methods to create a tailored solution to meet each client’s needs. Personalized care ensures that clients have access to essential services that give them an advantage over other programs. To learn more about our facility and the programs we offer at Newport Beach Recovery Center, contact us at (888) 850-0363. We have the tools you need to combat addiction and retake control of your life.