NCJ Number
165947
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The psychological assessment of the drug addict or prescription drug abuser usually involves a two-tier process consisting of a clinical interview and some sort of formalized testing and can help formulate the focal point of treatment planning.
Abstract
Time management and financial constraints sometimes prevent the use of a full battery of psychological tests, although using them would be desirable. An extensive clinical interview and a general assessment device such as the MMPI is recommended for all clients to screen for dual diagnosis issues early in the treatment process. Clients should receive full and proper feedback about the results of their psychological testing. Issues to be considered in the clinical interview include the approach, analysis of patterns, directives for treatment, social and emotional needs, vocational needs, spirituality, personal or societal risk, overall mental status, treatment recommendations, and medication needs. Drug abuse assessment tools include the CAGE questionnaire, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, MODCRIT, the Mac Andrew Scale, and the MMPI. Psychological assessment tools include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, other intelligence tests, the Halstead-Reitan Battery, the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, the Hooper Visual Organization Test, the Benton Visual Retention Test, the House-Tree-Person Test, the Thematic Apperception Test, the Rorschach Ink Blot Test, the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank, and word association tests. Other possible tests include education tests; occupational tests; and attitude, interest, and values tests. Tests are also available to aid the diagnosis of a dissociative disorder. 26 references