Complex Addiction / Behavioral Diagnosis

Assessment & Diagnostic Program

Sierra Tucson offers a unique Assessment and Diagnostic Program (ADP) to provide intensive evaluation due to diagnostic uncertainty and complexity, including possible fitness-for-work questions around psychiatric and/or chemical dependency issues brought to the attention of licensing boards or professional organizations. To meet this need, Sierra Tucson has developed a specific program, with a typical 4 1/2-day length-of-stay, which is fully focused on assessment and diagnosis. Using the full range of resources available at our inpatient treatment center, Sierra Tucson can provide a more comprehensive assessment than would be possible in most other settings.

To meet specific case needs, we have developed two assessment perspectives.

• The Whole Person Assessment is inspired by the treatment model that Sierra Tucson has embraced since its beginning. Simply put, this evaluation encompasses all aspects of an individual's life. In conjunction with the medical, psychiatric, and psychological  evaluations, specialty consultations in the areas of nutrition, spirituality, recreation/fitness, sexual/relationship, and family issues may be utilized.
• The Focused Assessment is designed to address and assess a particular question or problem. It includes medical, psychiatric, and psychological evaluations with additional specific consultations to achieve assessment goals.

The assessment period usually lasts 4 1/2 days, but the length-of-stay may vary, depending upon individual needs. During this time the individual undergoes intensive evaluation, counterbalanced with educational lectures, group therapy, assignments, and one-on-one consultations. A sample schedule (see PDF) shows a tentative plan of the daily activities. Actual format and times may vary, based on time of admission and the individual's clinical needs.

Upon completion of the evaluation process, a multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of physicians (psychiatrists and addictionists), psychologists, therapists, and other licensed specialists review assessment data and prepare an integrated report. The treatment team reviews the findings confidentially with the patient in a round table meeting. The patient's needs and welfare are the focus of this comprehensive report, which is complete with recommendations for further treatment interventions, as appropriate.

Through Sierra Tucson's affiliations within the community, additional specialized testing can be accessed at other sites, including the University Medical Center. These tests may include neuropsychological evaluations, MRIs, and EEGs, if deemed necessary. Additional test results are incorporated into the final report prepared by the Sierra Tucson assessment team.

The cost of the comprehensive Assessment and Diagnostic Program is $2,100 per day. This includes room and board, 24-hour registered nursing care, standard psychological testing, consultations, routine medications, and integrated report. If additional specialized diagnostic testing is utilized, i.e., neuropsychological evaluations, MRIs, EEGs, or other required tests, charges are billed separately.

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