Asam

Assessment Dimensions

The ASAM criteria identify the following problem areas (dimensions) as the most important in formulating an individualized treatment plan and in making subsequent patient placement decisions. The ASAM Form is an ASSESSMENT tool as well as a PLACEMENT tool and seeks to match intensity of treatment to severity of illness. It is also a method for justifying clinical decisions

Common Errors

• Summaries are generalized and insufficient

• Client does not meet criteria but is “forced” into specific level of care

Dimension 1: Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential. What risk is associated with the patient's current level of acute intoxication? Is there significant risk of severe withdrawal symptoms or seizures, based on the patient's previous withdrawal history, amount, frequency, and recency of discontinuation or significant reduction of alcohol or other drug use? Are there current signs of withdrawal? Has the patient been using multiple substances in the same drug class? Is there a withdrawal scale score available?

Dimension 2: Biomedical Conditions and Complications. Are there current physical illnesses, other than withdrawal, that need to be addressed because they are exacerbated by withdrawal, create risk or may complicate treatment? Are there chronic conditions that affect treatment? Is there need for medical services that might interfere with treatment?

Dimension 3: Emotional, Behavioral or Cognitive Conditions and Complications (diagnosable mental disorders or mental health problems that do not present sufficient signs and symptoms to reach the diagnostic threshold). Are there current psychiatric illnesses or psychological, behavioral, emotional or cognitive problems that need to be addressed because they create or complicate treatment? Are there chronic conditions that affect treatment? Do any emotional, behavioral or cognitive problems appear to be an expected part of the addictive disorder,...