State Certified Alcohol & Drug Evaluations
Administered by Mike LaTella, Master Addiction Counselor DBHDD #3241
NOTE: While the information below focus's on DUI Evaluations, the process is the same for other Court and Probation ordered Evaluations. LifeSwitch is certified to administer all court-related evaluations for drugs and alcohol.
In Georgia, DUI recipients are required to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation. This is different than the NEEDS assessment that is part of the DUI / Risk Reduction Course that DUI offenders must complete. It is important to note that law requires the evaluation be administered by a certified clinician that is listed on the state registry. These counselors have had specific state training to conduct these evaluations and are under strict requirements to complete continuing education courses in the field annually. The link below will take you to the state website that lists all approved evaluation clinicians.
https://dbhddapps.dbhdd.ga.gov/MOPAS/ProviderSearch/SearchDUIIPProvider.aspx
The alcohol and drug evaluation has two parts: participant testing and clinical interview. For testing, the individual will be given three tests of multiple choice and true / false questions. In total, the testing takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Afterward, the participant will meet with the counselor for the clinical interview portion of the evaluation. During the interview, the counselor will ask about the circumstances of the DUI charge, past and present drug and alcohol habits and other questions relevant to the individual's situation. The clinical interview takes approximately 20 minutes.
A top priority is to create an environment for the customer that is comfortable and stress-free. Most of our staff, including our counselors, chose this line of work because they have had similar challenges in the past. We are here to help, not to judge or criticize.
Once you have completed the clinical interview, your part is done! Our counselor will compile the results from the testing and the interview and prepare a thorough report that will be shared with your probation office with a copy to you. Throughout the process, including when you are ready to get your license reinstated, LifeSwitch will be there for you, helping in any way we can giving you needed direction and support. The process can be confusing at times but we do this everyday. We can help you traverse the process as smoothly as possible.
If at any time you need help with any part of this process, please call us at 770-731-2479 or email our office manager Jacob @
[email protected]
How to Register for the Alcohol And Drug Evaluation
- To begin, fill out the registration form by clicking the link "Register Now" below. Make sure you have the pertinent information regarding your arrest or other instigating information, your driver's license, etc.
- Make sure you fill out the form completely. Fields marked with * are required.
- Once you submit the form you will be taken to a payment screen. You can choose to have the evaluation administered in our office ($125) or virtually from your PC at home or office ($175).
- Once you have completed registration and made your payment, within 24 hours you will receive an email with a link that allows you to sign on to our online platform. You will need the email address you used to register along with a pin # that will be sent to your cell phone or given to you verbally.
- Once you are in the platform you can conveniently fill out the necessary state forms and sign the documents required for the evaluation.
- If you have paid for virtual evaluation, you will receive links to all three tests via email within 24 hours of competing your paperwork. Upon completing the tests we will reach out to you within 24 hours to set up your ZOOM clinical interview.
- For office evaluations, we will reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule your office visit for testing and clinical interview. We are committed to getting you scheduled within 7 business days of you completing your paperwork.
- Once you have completed the testing and the clinical interview, your results will be completed and sent out via email within 10 business days, but usually sooner.
- Once you have received your results, please reach out to us as you work with your probation officer and the DDS should you need help or direction. Even though the evaluation is complete we are committed to helping you from beginning to end.
Contact
LifeSwitch Driving Academy
We are here to help you successfully complete your course or evaluation.