Expanding the use of the ASAM CriteriaTM to make mental health level of care placements
ISSN: 1757-0972
Article publication date: 23 April 2018
Issue publication date: 9 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, the assessment and placement processes for each often remain separate. The purpose of this paper is to describe an expanded use of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) CriteriaTM to make placements into substance use, co-occurring, and mental health treatment.
Design/methodology/approach
A rationale for the development of two new domains (Domain 7, substance use and Domain 8, independent living skills) and preliminary data supporting the use of the ASAM CriteriaTM as a placement process for all types of behavioral health issues will be provided.
Findings
Dimension 3 and Domains 7 and 8 were correlated with selected clinical indices in the expected direction (Dimension 3: depression (F (4, 4650)=202.092, p<0.001), medication usage (F (4, 4,637)=174.254, p<0.001), and psychotic symptoms (F (4, 4,561)=62.954, p<0.001); Domain 7: alcohol use (F (4, 4,458)=213.786, p<0.001) and drug use (F (4, 4,471)=611.491, p<0.001); and Domain 8: functional impairment (F (4, 3,927)=815.646, p<0.001) and number of “high needs” (F (4, 3,927)=737.568, p<0.001).
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this research included a lack of inter-rater reliability data and less established intake assessments.
Practical implications
This single placement approach for clients seeking behavioral health services can create a more efficient, person-centered intake experience.
Originality/value
This paper suggests that it is possible to deploy a single assessment and placement approach for all types of behavioral health issues.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author has no conflict of interest to declare.
Citation
Drymalski, W.M. (2018), "Expanding the use of the ASAM CriteriaTM to make mental health level of care placements", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-10-2017-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited