Evaluations
Palmetto offers evaluation services for individuals, families, employers, licensing boards, monitoring agencies, and referring professionals who need a clearer understanding of a person’s relationship with alcohol, drugs, or other concerning behaviors.
Many individuals referred for evaluation are professionals whose circumstances require careful clinical review, documentation, and communication with outside parties when properly authorized. Because monitoring requirements vary by state, profession, licensing board, employer, and referral source, Palmetto works to understand the client’s individual needs, the concerns that led to the referral, and the expectations of any involved professional or monitoring entity.
Depending on the reason for the evaluation, Palmetto may recommend a 1-day or 3-day evaluation. A 1-day evaluation may be appropriate for more focused clinical concerns, while a 3-day evaluation may provide a more comprehensive picture when additional observation, testing, collateral information, or multidisciplinary input is needed.
Each evaluation is designed to look beyond the presenting concern and better understand the whole person. Our team may gather medical, psychiatric, psychological, clinical, toxicology, records-based, and collateral information to help determine whether treatment is clinically appropriate and what level of care or next steps may be recommended.
Evaluation services may include:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Addiction medicine evaluation
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Psychological testing, when clinically indicated
- Clinical interview and records review
- Psychosocial assessment
- Baseline lab work, urine drug screening, or other toxicology testing when appropriate
- Therapist evaluation
- Collateral contact with approved family members, professionals, employers, monitoring agencies, or other referral sources
- Peer feedback through our licensed Professionals Group, when appropriate
- Written recommendations for treatment, monitoring, continuing care, or other next steps when appropriate
1-Day and 3-Day Evaluations
Palmetto offers both 1-day and 3-day evaluation options. The appropriate format depends on the client’s individual needs, the concerns being evaluated, documentation needs, and the expectations of any involved monitoring agency, licensing board, employer, or referring professional.
For some individuals, a focused 1-day evaluation may provide enough information to guide recommendations. In other cases, a 3-day evaluation may be recommended to allow for a more complete assessment, including additional observation, multidisciplinary review, psychological testing, collateral information, and peer feedback when appropriate.
Professional and Monitoring Referrals
Palmetto has experience working with professionals and referral sources across the country. When properly authorized, our team can communicate with licensing boards, professional health programs, employers, attorneys, treatment providers, and monitoring agencies to better understand the reason for the referral and the information needed.
Because requirements vary by state and profession, Palmetto does not assume that one evaluation format fits every situation. Our goal is to provide a clinically thoughtful process that helps clarify the concern, supports informed decision-making, and respects the needs of the individual and the referring entity.
Our Process
Step 1
Reach Out
The first step is a conversation. You do not have to know exactly what you need before you call. Tell us what is going on, what concerns you have, and what questions need to be answered. Not ready to call, just submit an application.
Step 2
Talk Through the Situation
Our admissions team will listen and help gather the information needed to understand the situation. This may include substance use concerns, medical or detox needs, mental health history, previous treatment, family or professional concerns, insurance benefits, and timing.
Step 3
Determine the Next Step
Palmetto does not believe every person needs the same path. Depending on the situation, the next step may include medical detox, residential treatment, a 1-day or 3-day evaluation, or another level of care. If Palmetto is not the appropriate fit, we will help you understand that as clearly as we can.
FAQs
What is the purpose of an evaluation at Palmetto?
An evaluation is designed to help better understand a person’s relationship with alcohol, drugs, or other concerning behaviors. The goal is to determine whether treatment may be clinically appropriate and what level of care or next steps may be recommended.
Does Palmetto offer both 1-day and 3-day evaluations?
Yes. Palmetto offers both 1-day and 3-day evaluation options. The appropriate format depends on the client’s individual needs, the concerns being evaluated, documentation needs, and the expectations of any involved referring professional, employer, monitoring agency, or licensing board.
What is the difference between a 1-day and 3-day evaluation?
A 1-day evaluation may be appropriate for more focused clinical concerns or when a shorter review is sufficient. A 3-day evaluation may be recommended when a more comprehensive picture is needed, including additional observation, collateral information, psychological testing, multidisciplinary input, or documentation for a professional or monitoring entity.
Who may benefit from an evaluation?
Evaluations may be helpful for individuals, families, professionals, employers, attorneys, monitoring agencies, licensing boards, or referral sources who need clearer clinical information before making treatment or monitoring decisions.
Are evaluations used for physicians and other licensed professionals?
Yes. Palmetto works with physicians and other licensed or safety-sensitive professionals whose circumstances may involve employers, licensing boards, professional health programs, monitoring agencies, or other oversight entities. When properly authorized, Palmetto can communicate with approved parties to better understand what information may be needed.
What may be included in an evaluation?
Evaluation services may include a medical history and physical examination, addiction medicine evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, therapist evaluation, psychosocial assessment, clinical interview, records review, psychological testing when clinically indicated, baseline lab work, drug screening or toxicology testing when appropriate, collateral contact, and written recommendations.
Does every evaluation include psychological testing?
Not always. Psychological testing may be included when clinically indicated or when it is needed to help answer the concerns being evaluated. The evaluation process is shaped by the client’s needs, the reason for the referral, and the level of detail required.
What is collateral information?
Collateral information is information gathered from approved outside sources, such as family members, referring professionals, employers, attorneys, monitoring agencies, prior treatment providers, or other relevant parties. This information can help the evaluation team better understand the full picture.
Will Palmetto contact my employer, board, or monitoring agency?
Only when appropriate and properly authorized. Palmetto respects client privacy and confidentiality. Communication with employers, licensing boards, monitoring agencies, attorneys, family members, or other professionals is handled with proper consent and in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements.
Does an evaluation mean I will automatically be admitted to treatment?
No. An evaluation does not automatically mean residential treatment will be recommended or required. The purpose of the evaluation is to better understand the situation and provide clinically appropriate recommendations, which may include treatment at Palmetto, another level of care, monitoring, outpatient support, or other next steps.
Can an evaluation be helpful if the person does not believe they have a problem?
Yes. Evaluations can be helpful when there are concerns about substance use or behavior but the individual, family, employer, or referring professional needs a clearer clinical understanding. The goal is not to force a conclusion, but to gather appropriate information and make thoughtful recommendations.
Will I receive written recommendations after the evaluation?
When appropriate, Palmetto may provide written recommendations based on the evaluation findings. The content and recipients of any written communication depend on the purpose of the evaluation, clinical findings, authorization, and any applicable confidentiality requirements.
Can someone come from out of state for an evaluation?
Yes. Palmetto works with individuals and referral sources across the country. Because expectations can vary by state, profession, licensing board, employer, and monitoring agency, our team works to understand the specific needs involved before recommending the appropriate evaluation format.
How do I know which evaluation is right?
The admissions or clinical team can help review the situation and determine whether a 1-day or 3-day evaluation may be more appropriate. Factors may include the client’s needs, the concerns being evaluated, prior treatment history, documentation needs, and the expectations of any involved professional, employer, board, or monitoring agency.
Don’t See Your Question? Contact Us Below.
All submissions will remain confidential.