Admission criteria

Before an outpatient services program may admit a client, a client must: 1. Meet diagnostic criteria for substance-induced disorders of the DSM; and 2. Meet admission criteria for ASAM level I outpatient services in all six ASAM dimensions and at least one of the following: a. Demonstrate the need to take extended time for evaluation or lack motivation to make a commitment to a more intensive recovery effort and requires motivational enhancement strategies; b. Have completed a higher intensity level of care but requires continued services until recovery stabilizes; c. Have evidence of a brief return to usage not resulting in significant physical or emotional deterioration; d. Require outpatient counseling of an intensity that will meet the client's needs without placement in a higher level of care; e. Have not been through a prior treatment and exhibits motivation for recovery and meets ASAM criteria for level I in dimensions one, two, three, five, and six or the client has low severity of problems in ASAM dimensions one, two, three, five, and six; f. Have a low severity of problems in ASAM dimensions one, two, three, five, and six but is not motivated and requires motivation enhancement strategies best delivered in a level I program; or g. Have a severe and persistent mental illness that impairs the client's ability to consistently follow through with mental health appointments and psychotropic medications but does have the ability to access services such as assertive community treatment and case management or supportive living.