Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Revised November 28, 2011

GUIDELINES

The department recognizes that identification and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse issues are of paramount importance in assisting clients to attain self-sufficiency. The Division of Behavioral Health and Recover (DBHR) contracts with local treatment centers which provide alcohol and substance abuse evaluations and treatment.   

Evaluation and treatment services are provided for clients receiving services under the following programs:    

• Alcohol Drug Abuse Treatment Services Act (ADATSA);  
• WorkFirst;
• Medicaid assistance; and
• State-funded assistance.

Under certain circumstances, other persons in low-income status may also receive evaluation and treatment services.

• Craving: A strong need or urge to use alcohol or other substances
• Loss of Control: Not being able to stop drinking or using once the drinking or use has begun
• Physical Dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, or anxiety
• Tolerance: The need to drink or use greater amounts of alcohol or other substances to achieve the effects.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Alcohol or substance abuse can be just as harmful as an addiction or dependency. Some of the problems associate with alcohol and substance abuse include:

• The inability to fulfill work, school, or family obligations;
• Involvement in legal issues such as drunk driving arrests or violence;
• Increased social and inter-personal problems, including family violence, child neglect and abuse;
• Increased occurrence of accidents; and,
• Health concerns, such as harm caused by the use of alcohol or substances during pregnancy, and increases in the risk of other medical disorders.
  

WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

WorkFirst Clients

All WorkFirst applicants are screened using the Alcohol / Substance Abuse Screening Tool in e-JAS. If the alcohol / substance abuse screening indicates the likelihood of abuse use the e-JAS alcohol / substance abuse evaluation to determine if you should refer the client to the local Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor for a full assessment.

More information is in the WorkFirst Handbook - 6.7 Resolving Issues - Substance Abuse.

Treatment is a condition of eligibility for cash assistance if the women is assessed as dependent.

Use the procedures given in the ABCs of ADATSA for determining ADATSA eligibility.

Eligibility A-Z Manual: Protective Payees and Chemical Dependency - ADATSA

If the client is applying for ABD cash  and suspected of alcohol or substance abuse, determine whether the person is primarily impaired by drugs or alcohol. If the alcohol or substance abuse is not material to the person's impairments, and the person is otherwise eligible; the person will receive services under Medicaid or MCS. Treatment is a condition of eligibility for cash assistance if the person is assessed as dependent.

Use the procedures given in the ABCs of ADATSA for determining ADATSA eligibility.

Eligibility A-Z Manual: Protective Payees and Chemical Dependency - ADATSA

LINKS

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/DBHR/

www.samhsa.gov (Federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)

www.niaaa.nih.gov  (National Institution of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)