How to Write a
Substance Use
Evaluation
The first plain-language guide of its kind — a step-by-step roadmap that demystifies the evaluation process for beginners, CADCs, counselors, social workers, and university addiction programs.
Grounded in DSM-5-TR, ASAM Criteria (4th Ed.), and validated tools including AUDIT, MAST, DAST & SASSI-4. 118 pages of court-defensible, clinically sound guidance.
By Dr. Derek Collins, PhD, CADC-II, MATS, SAP · Founder, NACATP · CEO, The Diversion Center
Writing Your First Substance Use Evaluation Shouldn't Feel Impossible
Every year, thousands of counselors, social workers, and newly credentialed CADCs are asked to write substance use evaluations — often for courts, probation departments, or treatment programs — without ever being formally trained to do so.
The anxiety is real. The stakes are high. A poorly written evaluation can harm a client's legal outcome, damage a clinician's credibility, or fail to meet court standards. Yet most training programs never teach the actual mechanics of writing one.
This guide changes that. It is the first resource of its kind to break down every component of a substance use evaluation into plain, actionable language — removing the fear, removing the guesswork, and giving you a repeatable framework you can use immediately.
Removes Fear & Anxiety
Step-by-step structure eliminates the overwhelm of starting from scratch
First of Its Kind
No other guide breaks down the evaluation process with this level of plain-language clarity
Court-Defensible
Every recommendation grounded in DSM-5-TR and ASAM Criteria standards
Everything You Need to Write a Professional Evaluation
Structured Clinical Interview Framework
Concrete interview questions that gather a complete substance use history, mental health background, legal history, and social context — organized so nothing is missed.
Validated Screening Tool Guidance
How to properly administer and interpret the AUDIT, MAST, DAST, and SASSI-4 — and how to integrate results into your diagnostic formulation.
Biopsychosocial Assessment Templates
Sample biopsychosocial assessments you can model, covering biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of substance use.
DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Application
Plain-language guidance on applying all 11 DSM-5-TR criteria to determine the presence and severity of a substance use disorder.
ASAM Criteria Level-of-Care Matching
Step-by-step guidance on assessing all six ASAM dimensions to recommend the appropriate treatment level — from outpatient to medically managed residential care.
Full Sample Reports with Rationale
Complete sample evaluation reports with detailed clinical rationale you can study and model in your own practice immediately.
Built for Every Professional Who Writes — or Wants to Write — Evaluations
Whether you are launching a new evaluation service, strengthening an existing practice, or teaching the next generation of addiction professionals, this guide meets you where you are.
No prior evaluation experience required. The guide walks you through every stage from the first interview to final recommendations.
Strengthen your evaluation skills with a framework grounded in the latest DSM-5-TR and ASAM standards.
Expand your scope of practice with a court-defensible evaluation methodology.
Understand what a quality evaluation should contain — and how to request one that serves your clients.
An ideal supplemental textbook for addiction counseling, behavioral health, social work, and psychology programs.
Equip your staff and students with a standardized, evidence-based evaluation framework.
The Ideal Supplemental Textbook for Addiction Counseling Programs
This guide bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world clinical practice. Students in addiction counseling, social work, psychology, and behavioral health programs gain a practical, step-by-step framework for writing evaluations before they enter the field — giving them a measurable advantage in clinical placements and early career practice.
- → Undergraduate & graduate program compatible
- → Aligns with CACREP and NAADAC competency frameworks
- → Suitable for CADC, CSAC, LCADC, LADC exam preparation
- → Bulk licensing available for departments and programs
Essential for Every Substance Use Counseling Credential
Whether you are pursuing initial certification or maintaining an advanced credential, the ability to write a defensible substance use evaluation is a core professional competency. This guide supports practitioners across every major national and state credential.
National Credentials
- · CADC — Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- · CADC-II — Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- · CAC — Certified Addiction Counselor (Levels I, II, III)
- · CSAC — Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
- · LCADC — Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- · LADC — Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- · MAC — Master Addiction Counselor (NAADAC)
- · SAP — Substance Abuse Professional (DOT)
- · CCDP — Certified Co-occurring Disorders Professional
- · CCJP — Certified Criminal Justice Professional
- · MATS — Master Addiction Treatment Specialist
- · CADAC — Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor
Clinical & Social Work Credentials
- · LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- · LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor
- · LPCC — Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- · LMHC — Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- · MFT / LMFT — Marriage and Family Therapist
- · Psychologist (PhD, PsyD)
- · PMHNP — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- · QMHP — Qualified Mental Health Professional
- · QSAP — Qualified Substance Abuse Professional
- · CRC — Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- · NCC — National Certified Counselor
- · BCBA — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
State Licensing Boards
- · California DHCS — CADC / CATC Credentials
- · Texas DSHS — LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor)
- · Florida DBPR — CAP (Certified Addictions Professional)
- · New York OASAS — CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor)
- · Illinois IAODAPCA — CADC / CRADC
- · Ohio CDCA / LCDC II / LICDC
- · Georgia ADACBGA — CADC / CAADC
- · Pennsylvania CCDP / CAADC
- · North Carolina NCSAPPB — CSAC / LCAS
- · Virginia DBHDS — CSAC
- · Colorado DORA — CAC I / II / III
- · All 50 State Addiction Counseling Boards
Dr. Derek Collins
PhD, CADC-II, MATS, SAP
Founder, NACATP · CEO, The Diversion Center
Written by a Leader in Court-Involved Addiction Treatment
Dr. Derek Collins is the founder of the National Association of Court Approved Treatment Providers (NACATP) and CEO of The Diversion Center — one of the nation's leading organizations for court-involved substance use treatment and diversion programming.
With credentials spanning PhD, CADC-II, MATS, and SAP, Dr. Collins brings decades of frontline clinical experience to this guide. He has trained probation officers, counselors, and evaluators across the country, and has written evaluations for some of the most complex court-involved cases in the field.
The guide features a foreword by Aaron L. Norton, PhD, a nationally recognized forensic evaluation expert — adding an additional layer of clinical and legal authority to an already comprehensive resource.
"This guide is ideal for counselors, social workers, psychologists, and evaluators who work with court-involved or high-risk populations. Whether you are launching a new evaluation service or strengthening an existing practice, this resource will help you write evaluations that serve clients, satisfy courts, and reflect best practices in the field."
— Dr. Derek Collins
Ready to Write Your First Evaluation with Confidence?
Get immediate access to the only step-by-step guide that demystifies the substance use evaluation process — from the first interview to the final court-ready report.
Everything You Need to Know
About the Guide
Finding Addiction Counseling Programs & Training
Clinical Standards & Practice
Bring Expert Training to Your Organization
The Diversion Center provides in-house training for probation, parole, and community supervision agencies. We help your organization deliver evidence-based classes including:
Our training programs are designed for probation officers, parole agents, community supervision staff, and treatment providers who work with court-involved populations.
(404) 503-8069[email protected]Request Training InformationQuestions? Bulk Orders? University Licensing?
Contact Dr. Derek Collins and the team at The Diversion Center. We respond to all inquiries within 1–2 business days.
(404) 503-8069