What is a secondary purpose of screening and assessment?

The secondary purpose of screening and assessment is to identify resources available for successful problem resolution. This aspect is crucial as it helps the professional not only understand the client’s current challenges but also enables them to link the client with appropriate services and resources that can facilitate recovery or management of substance use issues. By recognizing what resources are available, counselors can provide recommendations that are tailored to the individual’s specific needs, thereby increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Collecting demographic data, ensuring insurance coverage, and determining legal implications are important components of the overall process but serve more as logistical or administrative functions, rather than central to the therapeutic and recovery process. Identifying resources directly impacts the client’s ability to navigate their issues, making it an essential secondary purpose of screening and assessment.