Substance abuse treatment  helps to identify and cope effectively with high-risk situations such as negative emotional states, interpersonal conflict and social pressure. Our Relapse Prevention Program teaches individuals with substance addiction how to anticipate and cope with the potential for relapse. This is an aftercare program, helping with coping skills training and teaching strategies.

NEEDS Substance Use Assessment (ADE, Inc.)

We administer the NEEDS assessment, a 130-question questionnaire accepted by ALL Courts to help identify substance-use risks and related needs. The tool screens several life areas—substance use, mental/emotional stability, health, relationships, employment/education, and criminal history—and aligns with DSM-5 and ASAM treatment concepts. 

It’s written at a reader-friendly level, takes about 25–30 minutes, and produces an immediate report to guide our clinical interview and recommendations.

Note: ADE reports independent studies showing high agreement (about 90–98%) between their assessments and professional interviews. While formal peer-reviewed publications specific to NEEDS are limited online, we pair NEEDS with standard, validated screens and a comprehensive clinical interview to ensure accurate, individualized recommendations. 

• Domains covered: Attitude/defensiveness, problem-solving/reading checks, substance use, physical/mental health, relationships/supports, employment/education, criminal history, needs/risk, suggested supervision levels. 

The primary information to address in a substance use assessment form includes:

• Date of assessment

• Clinician name, and credentials

• Client information (full name, date of birth, contact information)

• Referral Agent and date of assessment

• Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and current Doctor care

• Detailed NEEDS assessment tools used including:

• DSM-5 Criteria and supporting information

• Other

• Assessment findings:

• History of substance use (including age substance use began)

• Substances used

• Frequency of use

• Duration of use

• Context of use (e.g., social, self-medicating)

• Impacts of substance use on daily life (work, social, recreational, physical health, and mental health)

• Attempts to quit

• Treatment recommendations and levels of care, such as outpatient counseling, an intensive outpatient program, detox, or residential treatment.

The specific DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders* include:

A problematic pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress over the last 12 months, which includes at least two of the following criteria:

• Using more substance than intended or using it for longer than planned.

• Persistent desire to stop or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop using the substance.

• Spending a lot of time to obtain the substance, use it, and recover from its effects.

• Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use the substance.

• Recurrent use of the substance impacts daily life and the ability to fulfill obligations at home, school, or work. 

• Continued use of the substance despite its effects.

• Substance use leads to giving up/reducing important social, work, or recreational activities.

• Recurrent use in dangerous situations. 

• Using substances despite having physical or mental health conditions that will be negatively affected by substances.

• Increased tolerance to the substance, requiring more to have the same effect or less of an impact despite using the same amount. 

• Withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance or the need to take other substances to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. 

We’ve included these criteria in our substance abuse assessment template below.

*Note: This is a summary of the DSM-5 criteria. Additionally, the DSM-5 lists each substance use disorder separately for each substance—for example, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, etc.