The Evaluation Process
ADOLESCENTSRon Harrison has been evaluating adolescent chemical dependency for the past 25 years. During that time he has seen more than 5000 adolescents and their families to determine the extent and nature of drug use.
Parents are motivated to call for an appointment when their son or daughter has been caught at school in possession of drugs; been caught selling drugs, arrested for possession of alcohol or drugs, found evidence of drugs or drug using paraphernalia, found text messages or phone messages describing drug use, reports from siblings about drug use and/or suspension from school for a drug offense.
Evaluations begin with Ron Harrison meeting with the parents without their son or daughter. Although parents are anxious for me to see their adolescent, I have found that parents are motivated to describe what is occurring much more readily that their son or daughter might.
Data is collected regarding how their son or daughter is doing in school, at home, and in the community. Specifically, I am interested in grades, changes in grades, suspensions, detentions, comments from teachers, arrests, ability to show remorse, previous therapy, friends, work history, behavior as a child, evidence of drug use, money/objects missing from home, staying out all night, missing curfews, and attitude at home.
This appointment is followed by appointments with their son or daughter. During the course of these appointments data is collected regarding drug use, school status, problems at home, relationship with others, and difficulties with the courts or police. During this series of appointments testing is done to screen for depression, thoughts of suicide, self-esteem, and anger/hostility.
Finally, a meeting is scheduled to go over the data collected and develop a plan of action. This plan of action can include: no evidence of a drug problem; no drug problem and a recommendation to see another therapist; a drug problem exists and outpatient therapy is recommended; inpatient substance abuse therapy is recommended; or intensive outpatient substance abuse therapy is encouraged.
ADULTS
Evaluations regarding adults usually begin by seeing a couple if alcohol or drug use is interfering in their relationship. Otherwise, I see an individual by himself or herself if they are concerned about their alcohol or drug use.
A series of meeting will follow to examine the extent of alcohol and drug use, consequences in regards to using, difficulties with the police or courts, difficulties with work, other family/friends concerned about their use and attempts to cut back or stop using.
A final meeting summarizes the data collected and concludes with a plan of action. The recommendation will follow the same as listed above for adolescents.