Discussion—Assessment and Diagnosis

Assessment and diagnosis are the first, and most critical, parts of substance use disorder treatment. Without an accurate assessment, the client may not benefit from the treatment options selected.

Review the following scenario and address the questions that follow:

Julia got into a car accident at the end of her senior year of high school, which resulted in a broken leg and an injured knee, both of which needed surgery to repair. During her recovery, she was in a lot of pain, so her doctor prescribed OxyContin.

After several weeks, the prescribed dose of OxyContin was no longer sufficient to completely alleviate Julia’s pain. So, she decided to take more than the prescribed dosage. This not only alleviated Julia’s pain, but it also gave her a feeling of euphoria, which she enjoyed. When Julia ran out of OxyContin and was unable to take it, she experienced a great deal of pain, even in areas of her body that were not affected by the car accident. She also found herself more anxious and agitated on days when she could not take OxyContin than on days when she did take it.

Based on your analysis of the scenario and module readings, respond to the following:

Which assessment tool(s) would you use to help evaluate and diagnose Julia’s substance use? Explain why you made your choice.

• Based on the current DSM diagnostic criteria, does Julia’s behavior fit into a substance use disorder? Explain the rationale for your diagnosis.