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What is a Drug and Alcohol Assessment Test?

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A drug and alcohol assessment test is an evaluation that determines the severity of an individual’s substance use and abuse. It is an in-depth series of questionnaires that will scale how much the individual’s drug or alcohol usage is. It includes questions to determine current and past tests they have already completed, psychological history, treatment history, mental illness, family, legal, health, social, employment, and alcohol or drug use history. Hence, professionals can make the proper diagnosis for recovery treatment. Moreover, to determine the individual’s needs, severity rating, and required level of care they will require. Therefore, the individual must require honesty, consistency, and the ability to address discrepancies in order for the treatment to work for them. As a compliment, owning a personal or workplace BACtrack breathalyser available at Breaythalysers Australia can help those who are struggling with alcoholism.

How does a drug and alcohol assessment test work?

A conventional drug and alcohol assessment test consist of the following:

  1. Screening – the first stage wherein investigation occurs. Typically a series of yes or no questions to determine if there is a drug and alcohol problem.
  2. Assessment – the second stage wherein analysis starts. It is to determine the nature of the problem. This stage usually includes drug and alcohol testing.
  3. Follow-up – an optional stage if the individual is in need of counselling treatments. It aims to check on the individual’s state from time to time.
  4. Referral – the last stage wherein recommendation of treatment commences. This stage includes the type of program and choice of counselor specific for the individual.

Types of Screening in a Drug and Alcohol Assessment Test

The most common types of screening questionnaires used for a drug and alcohol assessment test are:

MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) – a twenty-five question test where each question contains a point value wherein results are computed by:

  • 5 points or more – the individual is an alcoholic
  • 4 points – the individual has potential alcoholism
  • 3 points or less – the individual is a non-alcoholic

CAGE Test (Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-Opener) – a personal test that focuses on:

  • Cut – cutting down substance abuse
  • Annoyed – how the individual gets annoyed when others get concerned about their substance abuse
  • Guilty – the guilt of the individual regarding their substance use
  • Eye-Opener – an eye-opener when the individual would start their day with drugs or alcohol

ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) – consists of six criteria which are:

  • Acute Intoxication and Withdrawal
  • Bio-Medical Conditions and Complications
  • Cognitive, Behavioral, and Emotional Conditions
  • Readiness and Motivation
  • Relapse, Continued Use, Continued Problem
  • Recovery Environment

DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) – a manual of mental disorders with eleven yes or no questions to determine the severity of substance abuse. Results are:

  • 2 to 3 = Mild
  • 4 to 5 = Moderate
  • 6 or more = Severe

ASI (Addiction Severity Index) – a test that focuses on:

  • Medical
  • Employment/Support Status
  • Alcohol and Drugs
  • Legal
  • Family/Social
  • Psychiatric

SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) – is an evidence-based test that focuses on:

  • Intervention strategies
  • Problem prevention
  • Avoiding future issues
  • Reduction of treatment costs

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Who Conducts the Tests?

Trained professionals are the ones that conduct drug and alcohol assessment tests. These licensed professionals have expertise and specialisation in the human condition and behaviour. Hence, they are the best suited to conduct such evaluations. These professionals include social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, doctors, and psychologists. However, it is also common for these evaluations to have physical examinations as well as drug and alcohol testing. Thus, physicians and HLTPAT005 accredited sample collectors are also recommended as an addition. Therefore, an individual who is undergoing a drug and alcohol assessment test can undoubtedly trust the personnel who will be conducting it.

Drug and Alcohol Assessment Test for the Workplace

Workplace safety is and always should be one of the main priorities for any business or company. Moreover, implementing specific protocols and policies to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace is the responsibility of all employers. Furthermore, alcohol and drug use and abuse could directly affect an individual’s behaviour, attitude, and performance in the work environment. A comprehensive workplace drug and alcohol policy that includes frequent drug and alcohol testing has been a stable method for substance abuse prevention among employees. This policy helps maintain and prevent usage, especially before and during working hours. However, some companies send their employees to get a drug and alcohol assessment test when prevention is not possible. In addition, employers can invest in highly effective breath testers to aid in combating substance abuse in the workplace. In addition, Breathalysers Australia offers a selection of high-quality BACtrack workplace breathalysers to choose from.

BACtrack workplace breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia are wise investments for any company that wants a safe and healthy work environment. In addition, employers that want to help their employees by getting them to take a drug and alcohol assessment test can aid them further by providing them with the means for fast and easy workplace alcohol breath testing.

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How a BACtrack Personal Breathalyser could help people undergoing the tests

To help individuals undergoing a drug and alcohol assessment test, Breathalysers Australia offers a wide selection BACtrack breathalysers for both personal and workplace use. Having a BACtrack personal breathalyser means an individual can test for their BAC anytime they want. It can bring awareness to the individual around their alcohol consumption at all times. Therefore, they are able to make wiser decisions, improving their treatment even further.

BACtrack personal breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia

  • Keychain breathalysers: The BACtrack Go Keychain and BACtrack C6 keychain breathalysers are small yet accurate breathalysers that you can attach to your keys. These breathalysers are compact and easy to carry around. Moreover, they are highly accurate even with their compact size. These features make the BACtrack keychain breathalysers portable and reliable.
  • Police-grade breathalysers: BACtrack’s police-grade breathalysers are ideal for personal use that needs undeniable BAC results. Furthermore, these devices have the most accurate BAC readings with a simple one-button operation. The personal breathalysers in this category are the BACtrack Scout, BACtrack Trace Pro, and the BACtrack S80 Pro.
  • Smartphone breathalysers: Turn your smartphone into a breathalyser. The BACtrack C6 Keychain, BACtrack C8 Smartphone, and BACtrack Mobile Pro can connect to the BACtrack mobile app thru any iOS or Android smartphone device. Thus, this feature could allow you to be able to read and track your BAC results conveniently.

All BACtrack breathalysers have fuel cell sensor technology. Furthermore, this technology makes the BACtrack breathalysers the most accurate alcohol breath testing device available on the market. Moreover, they only detect ethyl alcohol in breath samples. So, this feature makes breath testing for alcohol the least likely to give false-positive results. Thus, having a BACtrack personal breathalyser at Breathalysers Australia is definitely a beneficial tandem while undergoing a drug and alcohol assessment test.

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