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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This assessment tool is for educational and informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical or behavioral health evaluation.

 This tool:

  • Does NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations

  • Is NOT created or reviewed by licensed healthcare professionals

  • Should NOT be used in place of consulting with qualified addiction specialists

  • Cannot account for individual medical conditions, medications, or unique circumstances

 You should always:

  • Consult with a licensed healthcare provider or addiction specialist before making treatment decisions

  • Seek immediate medical attention for any medical emergency

  • Contact a qualified professional for proper assessment and treatment planning

 In a crisis:

  • Call 911 if someone is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or in immediate danger

  • Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for mental health emergencies

  • Go to your nearest emergency room for any medical emergency

By using this tool, you acknowledge that it is a general guidance resource only and that professional evaluation is necessary for appropriate treatment planning.

Where Do I Start? Treatment Assessment Quiz

Questions (Answer Yes or No)

  1. Is the person using drugs or alcohol every day (or almost every day)?

  2. When they try to stop or cut back, do they get physically sick (shaking, sweating, nausea, trouble sleeping)?

  3. Have they tried to quit or cut back multiple times but couldn't stay stopped?

  4. Are they unable to work, go to school, or take care of daily responsibilities because of their drug/alcohol use?

  5. Do they NOT have a safe place to live or supportive people around them?

  6. Have they been to addiction treatment before but started using again?

  7. Are they primarily struggling with opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription pain pills) or drinking heavily every day?

  8. Have they overdosed in the past 6 months (needed Narcan/naloxone, went to ER, or passed out from drinking)?

Scoring Guide

Count Your "YES" Answers:

7-8 YES answers = DETOX/MEDICAL DETOX NEEDED

  • What this means: Need medical supervision to safely stop using

  • Where to go: Hospital or treatment center with medical detox

  • Timeline: Get help within 24-48 hours

5-6 YES answers = RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT

  • What this means: Need to live at treatment center for 30-90 days

  • Where to go: Inpatient rehab facility

  • Timeline: Start within 1-2 weeks

3-4 YES answers = PHP (PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION)

  • What this means: Need treatment most of the day, sleep at home

  • Where to go: Treatment center with day programs (6+ hours daily)

  • Timeline: Start within 1 week

1-2 YES answers = IOP (INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT)

  • What this means: Need regular treatment while keeping work/school

  • Where to go: Treatment center with evening/weekend programs (3-4 hours, 3+ days/week)

  • Timeline: Start within 2 weeks

0 YES answers = OUTPATIENT COUNSELING

  • What this means: Regular therapy and support groups

  • Where to go: Individual therapist + support groups

  • Timeline: Start within 2-4 weeks

Special Notes:

EMERGENCY: If you answered YES to Question #2 (physically sick when stopping) OR Question #8 (recent overdose), consider DETOX regardless of total score.

RECENT OVERDOSE OVERRIDE: Anyone who has overdosed in the past 6 months should consider at least RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, even if their score suggests a lower level of care.

MAT CONSIDERATION: If you answered YES to Question #7 (opioids or heavy daily drinking), ask about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at any level of care.

CRISIS: If the person is having thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.

TYPES OF TREATMENT:

Emergency Help (When Someone Needs Help Right Now)

  • Detox/Medical Detox

    • What it is: Safe place to stop using drugs or alcohol with medical help

    • When you need it: Person is shaking, sweating, or feels very sick when they don't use

    • How long: 3-7 days usually

    • What happens: Doctors and nurses watch you 24/7, give medicine to help withdrawal

Living at Treatment (24/7 Care)

  • Residential Treatment (Rehab)

    • What it is: Live at a treatment center while getting help

    • When you need it: Can't stop using at home, need to focus completely on recovery

    • How long: 30-90 days typically

    • What happens: Therapy, classes, medical care, safe place away from drugs/alcohol

Coming to Treatment Daily

  • PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program)

    • What it is: Treatment most of the day, go home at night

    • When you need it: Need lots of help but can sleep at home safely

    • How long: 6+ hours a day, 5+ days a week, for several weeks

    • What happens: Group therapy, individual counseling, medication management

  • IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)

    • What it is: Treatment a few hours at a time while keeping work/school

    • When you need it: Stable enough to work but still need regular support

    • How long: 3-4 hours, 3+ days a week, for months

    • What happens: Group sessions, individual therapy, learn coping skills

Ongoing Support

  • MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)

    • What it is: Medicine that helps reduce cravings for opioids or alcohol

    • When you need it: Struggling with opioids (heroin, pills) or alcohol

    • How it works: Doctor visits + medicine + counseling

    • Common medicines: Suboxone, Methadone, Vivitrol

  • Outpatient Counseling

    • What it is: Regular therapy appointments

    • When you need it: Doing well but need ongoing support

    • How often: Weekly or monthly meetings

"How to Choose"

Start Here:

  • Is this an emergency? → Call 911 or go to ER

  • Are they physically dependent? (sick without drugs/alcohol) → Need Detox first

  • Have they tried quitting at home multiple times? → Consider Residential

  • Are they working/in school and stable housing? → PHP or IOP might work

  • Struggling specifically with opioids or alcohol? → Ask about MAT

About Our Facility Listings

WE DO NOT ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND ANY PARTICULAR TREATMENT FACILITY. The facilities listed on this website are included because they requested to be listed and provided their information to us.

 Important Notes About Listed Facilities:

  • No Endorsement: Inclusion on this website does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of quality

  • No Screening: We do not verify credentials, quality of care, success rates, or any other aspects of listed facilities

  • Self-Reported Information: All facility information is self-reported and may not be independently verified

  • Omissions Not Intentional: Facilities not listed either did not request inclusion or did not provide information to us

 Your Responsibility:

  • Verify All Information: Always verify licensing, accreditation, and credentials directly with facilities and state agencies

  • Check Insurance: Confirm insurance coverage and costs directly with facilities

  • Research Thoroughly: Conduct your own research including reading reviews, checking state databases, and asking for references

  • Visit Before Committing: Tour facilities and ask detailed questions before making decisions

  • Get Multiple Opinions: Consider getting assessments from multiple providers

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