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Things to Remember When Coming For an Assessment:

1. Be prepared to stay approximately 2 hours for the entire assessment process.

2. Come 15 minutes before appointment time to complete paperwork.

3. Bring all required paperwork (especially DWI, court/arrest related), medication, and insurance cards.

4. Call to let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment.

5. Bring assessment fees and money orders:

General $100

DWI $100 + $10 for driving record

DWI Screening greater than 6 months  $100

Out of State DWI $100 + $75 processing fee

Assessment

The CDC is one of the area’s leading providers of assessment counseling regarding alcoholism and other chemical dependencies. 

In our Assessment Counseling Program, we help identify clients who have a dependency on alcohol or other drugs.  The goal of this program is to secure help for our clients and to accomplish this service in a caring, compassionate and timely manner. 

The CDC follows Federal, State and Agency guidelines for the confidentiality of information and client privacy.

Types of Assessment Counseling Offered by the CDC

1. Driving While Impaired (DWI)

The CDC serves as the leading provider of DWI Assessments in Mecklenburg County.

Clients who need a DWI assessment, either pre-trial or post-trial, will need to provide a breathalyzer reading and a copy of their citation/ticket.  Post-trial clients also need to provide a judgment paper.  All of the above items can be obtained from the appropriate County Courthouse.

Clients with out-of-state licenses or out-of-state DWIs may be required by the CDC or that State to provide additional forms or paperwork at the time of the assessment.  These clients are encouraged to contact the State DMV Office for specific instructions.

Clients represented by attorneys or public defenders are requested to provide the assessor with the name, address and telephone number of that individual. 

2. General Assessments

The CDC works with individuals, families and other persons who are concerned about their, or another’s alcohol or other drug addiction.  A general assessment is conducted when the referral source is the client, the court system, an attorney, the Department of Social Services, Youth and Family Services or any other non-DWI source.

For any court-ordered assessment, the client is asked to provide a copy of their arrest record which can be obtained from the County Courthouse of the client’s residence.

3. Screenings

Screening assessments are offered when a client has had an assessment at another agency and has been referred to the CDC for education and treatment services.  In these cases, written confirmation of the assessment and recommendation are required.

In cases where an assessment is incomplete, a follow-up appointment may be needed to complete the assessment or obtain or review any additional paperwork requested.

4. Drug Testing

In association with a professional independent laboratory, the CDC can assist employers and others in arranging drug testing procedures. 

5. Latino Assessments

The CDC has Multicultural Addictions  Counselors on staff who are fully bilingual to meet the demands of Mecklenburg County’s Latino population.  We respect both the culture and language of our Spanish-speaking clients and offer assessment services, treatment options and court services in Spanish.

The Assessment Process

Our counselors use several components in their assessment of an individual client.  Depending on the need of the individual, our staff may employ one or more of the following:

Standardized Questionaire-Administered to collect client-disclosed information that will aid in the counselor’s assessment of the client’s situation.

Drug Screening - Urine screens, when requested, help determine a client’s current drug usage.

Clinical Assessment - This involves a one-on-one session with a counselor in which the counselor seeks to determine the extent or substance use, level of dependence and what recommendations are needed.

Referral and Follow-Up - Our counselors make referrals based upon the specific need of the client.  We also do a follow up with the client when this is needed, including consultation with referral sources, employers, courts, etc.

Written Reports - When necessary, our staff will provide written reports of their findings to those parties for whom we have obtained a release of information from the client.

Consultation - Our staff works with other professionals (employers, school personnel, clergy, courts, law enforcement, etc.) in offering advice and direction regarding specific cases.