Getting an Assessment

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Before any treatment takes place it is necessary to obtain a detailed history of both the psychiatric and substance abuse symptoms.

Important information on psychiatric status includes:

• chief complaint/presenting symptoms;
• family history;
• personal history;
• medical history;
• psychiatric history;
• history of present illness;
• and assessment of current mental state.

Important information on substance abuse includes:

• types of drugs used;
• age of onset;
• amount now being used;
• maximum amount;
• frequency;
• route;
• last used;
• maximum clean time;
• number of detoxes;
• history of withdrawal symptoms.

This information will be necessary to construct an individual treatment programme.