Alternative Drug and Alcohol Counseling

920 W. Washington Street

Suite 209

Hagerstown, MD 27140

301-766-0065

email : adac@myactv.net

ADAC provides comprehensive evaluations of one's alcohol and/or drug use by utilizing

assessment tools approved by the State of Maryland and recognized by many

national substance abuse organizations.

 

 

Evaluations

 

An Evaluation session takes about 60 minutes to complete. It involves many questions and self reports regarding one's usage or history of usage. Factors such as legal, medical, and family background are considered. However, the accuracy of such evaluations are effected by one's honesty to disclose. For this reason, factual information such as: number of legal charges, breathalyzer reading, and employer urine testing results are considered.

 

It is ADAC's philosophy to look at each individual as a person and not a peg to be fit into a hole. Everyone is different and unique; their circumstances vary from one another. Each person has a different experience, understanding, and interpretation of the situation. We respect their ideas and impressions of themselves. The evaluation tools are: the MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test), ASI (Alcohol Severity Index), Mortime-Filkins evaluation and DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test).

 

The State of Maryland COMAR regulations however, do identify certain criteria that need to be recognized as problematic.  They are as follows:

 

· Subsequent offenses

· History of other substance related charges

· Inpatient treatment or other outpatient treatment history for substance abuse

 

These criteria are recognized by court systems and all state licensed substance abuse programs. However, it is still the discretion of the qualified substance abuse counselor to make the final determination.

 

Results

 

If an evaluation determines a problem, it is a usual recommendation to require 6 months of attendance. This is commonly on a once a week basis, but if the circumstances merit a more intensive need of support, twice a week is suggested.

 

If no problem is identified, education is recommended. At ADAC this consists of 8 sessions, once a week. As a state licensed agency, it is approved by the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles and recognized by other state Motor Vehicle Departments.