A drug and alcohol evaluation is a structured clinical assessment used to understand a person’s substance use history, current patterns, and potential risk level. These evaluations are commonly required after a DUI, court or probation referral, workplace incident, or licensing concern. The purpose is to determine whether education, monitoring, or treatment is recommended based on standardized criteria.
How Drug & Alcohol Evaluations Are Used
Drug and alcohol evaluations are used by courts, probation departments, employers, licensing boards, and treatment providers to make decisions that can affect legal outcomes, employment status, and professional licensing. Evaluators gather information through interviews and standardized screening tools to assess risk and recommend next steps.
Common Myths and Misunderstandings
- Drug and alcohol evaluations are not pass/fail tests
- Evaluators are not simply “checking boxes” — interpretations matter
- Inconsistent or unclear answers can lead to stronger recommendations
- Preparation is about understanding the process, not controlling outcomes