Virtual DUI Evaluations Available
CLINICAL DUI EVALUATIONS IN GEORGIA

Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) regulates the clinical evaluation process for DUI offenders.

Under Georgia regulations, a clinical evaluation is intended to provide enough information for the evaluator to diagnose or rule out a substance-related disorder and, when necessary, recommend an appropriate level of service.

That distinction is important.

The purpose of an evaluation isn't simply to determine whether someone has used alcohol or drugs. A DUI arrest by itself does not tell an evaluator whether a person has a substance abuse or dependency problem.

Instead, the evaluator considers information about the individual, their history and the circumstances surrounding their alcohol or drug use.

The evaluation is therefore individualized. Two people with similar DUI charges may not necessarily receive the same findings or recommendations.

No.

Georgia's DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program, commonly called DUI School, is an educational program regulated by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

The Clinical DUI Evaluation is a separate process regulated through DBHDD.

DUI Risk Reduction uses a standardized assessment and educational intervention program. A Clinical DUI Evaluation goes further by having a qualified evaluator review information specific to the individual and conduct a clinical interview.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to complete both DUI School and a Clinical DUI Evaluation.

If you're uncertain which requirements apply to you, check the instructions provided by the court, your probation officer, attorney or Georgia DDS rather than assuming that completing one requirement automatically satisfies another.

Georgia requires DUI clinical evaluations to follow a defined process.

The evaluation includes a review of relevant screening or assessment information and a clinical interview. The evaluator gathers information that can include your alcohol and drug use history as well as medical, social, family and other relevant background information.

Additional approved assessment instruments are also used as part of the evaluation.

The objective isn't to "pass" or "fail" a test. The evaluator uses the information collected through the process to develop a clinical picture and determine whether additional treatment or services are indicated.

Being open and accurate during the evaluation is important. The evaluator needs reliable information to make an appropriate professional determination.

Not necessarily.

One of the purposes of the clinical evaluation is to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

If the evaluator determines that treatment is indicated, the evaluation will include a recommendation for an appropriate level of service. Georgia's DUI Intervention Program requires DUI offenders who receive a treatment recommendation through this process to complete the recommended treatment.

The important distinction is that evaluation and treatment are separate steps. The evaluation is used to determine whether a substance-related disorder is present and whether treatment is warranted.

For an evaluation to satisfy Georgia's DUI requirements, it must be performed by an appropriately qualified clinical evaluator approved by DBHDD.

This isn't something that should be assumed simply because someone provides counseling, addiction services or general alcohol and drug assessments.

Georgia maintains requirements for DUI clinical evaluators, and approved evaluators appear on the state's registry.

LifeSwitch's evaluations are conducted by Mike LaTella, Certified Addiction Counselor and Georgia-approved Clinical Evaluator #3241.

Mike has extensive experience conducting alcohol and drug evaluations and working with individuals dealing with substance-use concerns.

Yes. LifeSwitch Driving Academy currently conducts its Clinical DUI Evaluations virtually.

The process begins with online registration and completion of the required paperwork and assessment materials. Once those portions have been completed, LifeSwitch schedules your virtual clinical interview with Mike.

This allows clients to complete their evaluation remotely while still working directly with a qualified evaluator.

Virtual appointments can be particularly helpful for people who live outside the immediate Peachtree City area, have transportation limitations or need to fit the evaluation around work and family responsibilities.

After your assessments and clinical interview have been completed, Mike reviews the information and prepares the results of your evaluation.

LifeSwitch then provides the appropriate documentation so you can continue working through the requirements associated with your case.

Depending on your circumstances, that could involve providing documentation to a probation officer, court or other appropriate party.

If the evaluation indicates that additional treatment is appropriate, you will also receive information about the recommended next step.

A DUI evaluation is designed to satisfy a specific clinical and regulatory purpose. Sometimes, however, the evaluation is only the beginning of the conversation.

Mike LaTella also provides alcohol and drug addiction counseling and other assessment services independently through LifeSwitch Addiction Counseling.

If you are looking for information about substance-use counseling, alcohol and drug assessments, recovery or services beyond the state-required DUI evaluation, visit the LifeSwitch Addiction Counseling website.