Consider the knowledge and information you might need in order to effectively assess and diagnose those with substance abuse problems, including substance abusers for whom psychological issues are a concern. How might you obtain this information? How might you put it to use?

This week, you will examine assessment tests, techniques, and instruments specific to substance abuse and addiction. You also will consider dual diagnosis and how existing psychological disorders may complicate a diagnosis of substance abuse or addiction.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this week, you should be able to:
� Compare assessment tests, techniques, and instruments used in substance abuse counseling
� Analyze strengths and weaknesses of assessment tests, techniques, and instruments
� Analyze and explain the complexities of dual diagnosis

Assessment Instruments
Assessment and diagnosis are vital first steps in helping a client who abuses and/or is addicted to substances address his or her problem and move toward recovery. Yet, just as a single test by a mechanic may not accurately assess and help diagnose a rattling in a car�s engine, a single test by a counselor may not accurately assess and help diagnose a client’s substance abuse or addiction problem.
As a counselor working with substance abusers, you must be familiar with a wide array of assessment tests, techniques, and instruments in order to accurately assess your clients, diagnose them, and then provide them with the best treatment. In this Discussion, you will compare several assessment tests, techniques, and instruments and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. Application: Dual Diagnosis
Many clients who are diagnosed with substance abuse and addiction disorders also exhibit a psychological disorder. The prevalence and complexity of this phenomenon, known as a dual diagnosis, make it imperative that you, as a counselor, know how to properly diagnose and work with substance abuse clients who also exhibit psychological disorders.

For this Application, you will examine the complexities of dual diagnosis in relation to a specific case.

To prepare for this assignment:
� Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the client symptoms and characteristics that may indicate a dual diagnosis.
� Consider how the symptoms of substance abuse and those of psychological disorders make dual diagnosis particularly complex.
� Review the following case study: Jerome.
� Consider how the case study reflects the complexities of dual diagnosis.
The assignment: (1�2 pages)
� Analyze the complexity of dual diagnosis as it relates to the case study.
� Explain how specific symptoms illustrated by the client indicate more than one disorder and make diagnosis difficult.
� Provide specific examples as well as evidence from the Learning Resources to support your ideas.
Support your Application assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.