If you, a friend, family member, or other loved one are struggling with an addiction, it can feel daunting and overwhelming. How do you know where to start with getting help? Can you even get a diagnosis that will lead you to the best treatment? The truth is, having an accurate and early diagnosis can make a big difference in the journey to recovery. SBIRT is one reliable, fast, and easy method to detect substance use or alcohol use disorders. Free, 100% online, and immediate results are what you can expect from the SBIRT assessment in Mississippi. After the assessment, you’ll be pointed in the right direction for nearby treatment centers that can properly diagnose and provide the treatment you or your loved one deserves.
How Do You Diagnose Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorders, also called SUDs, are the misuse of prescription medications, illicit drugs, or over the counter substances. These are diagnosed by doctors and mental health professionals using the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). What tests are used to diagnose addiction? You may observe someone you love displaying some of the common characteristics and signs of substance abuse. If you do, taking the SBIRT assessment is a great first step toward discovering if there truly is a problem and finding a professional diagnosis and appropriate nearby treatment if so. Watch for the following warning signs of substance abuse:
- Persistent cravings
- Tolerance (requiring more of the substance to get the same effect)
- Unsuccessful attempts at stopping or cutting down
- Using more of a substance than you mean to or continuing to use after you planned to stop
- Spending time obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance
- Having withdrawals when not using the substance
- Isolating and withdrawing from social activities
- Neglecting responsibilities at home and work/school
- Using despite experiencing negative effects legally, socially, or health-wise
If you see these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, take the SBIRT to lead you toward the nearest medical advice for a full diagnosis from a health professional.
How is Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed?
Alcohol addiction, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), can affect people of any social class and gender, anywhere in the world. It tends to become a chronic condition that affects your mental and physical health and greatly impacts your daily life. If you or a loved one may have a problem with AUD, keep an eye out for the most common signs of alcohol use disorder:
- Persistent and strong desire to drink
- Cravings
- Inability to reduce drinking or stop
- Drinking interferes with daily life, work/school, relationships
- Drinking more than you plan to
- Drinking despite experiencing depression, anxiety, memory problems, and other mental health concerns
- Requiring more and more alcohol to feel tipsy or drunk
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, nausea, sweating, irritability
If these signs are present in yourself or a loved one, take the SBIRT assessment as soon as possible. With a short, easy, online assessment, you’ll receive a list of nearby diagnosis and treatment centers that can get you on a path to recovery quickly. Speed is of the essence and early detection can make the recovery process significantly easier and more likely to be successful. What are the diagnostic criteria for addiction? Diagnosing this condition is best left to a doctor or mental health professional and SBIRT can point you in the right direction of the professionals you seek.