1
TWELVE CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE COUNSELOR
I. SCREENING: The process by which the client is determined appropriate and eligible for
admission to a particular program.
Global Criteria:
1. Evaluate the psychological, social, and physiological signs and symptoms of alcohol and other
drug abuse.
2. Determine the client's appropriateness for admission or referral.
3. Determine the client's eligibility for admission or referral.
4. Identify any coexisting conditions (medical, psychiatric, physical, etc.) that indicate the need for
additional professional assessment and/or services.
5. Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies governing alcohol and other drug
abuse services.
Explanation:
This function requires the counselor consider a variety of factors before deciding whether or not to admit
the potential client for treatment. It is imperative that the counselor use appropriate diagnostic criteria to
determine whether the applicant's alcohol or other drug use constitutes abuse. All counselors must be
able to describe the criteria they use and demonstrate their competence by presenting specific
examples
of how the use of alcohol and other drugs has become dysfunctional for a particular client. The
determination of a particular client's appropriateness
for a program requires the counselor's judgment and
skill and is influenced by the program's environment and modality (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, residential,
pharmacotherapy, detoxification, or day care). Important factors include the nature of the substance
abuse, the physical condition of the client, the psychological functioning of the client, outside
support/resources, previous treatment efforts, motivation, and the philosophy of the program. The
eligibility
criteria are generally determined by focus, target population, and funding requirements of the
counselor's program or agency. Many of the criteria are easily ascertained. These may include the
client's age, gender, place of residence, legal status, veteran status, income level, and the referral
source. Allusion to following agency policy is a minimally acceptable statement. If the client is found
ineligible or inappropriate for this program, the counselor should be able to suggest an alternative.
II. INTAKE: The administrative and initial assessment procedures for admission to a
program.
Global Criteria:
6. Complete the required documents for admission to the program.
7. Complete the required documents for program eligibility and appropriateness.
8. Obtain appropriately signed consents when soliciting information from, or providing information
to, outside sources to protect client confidentiality and rights.