Drug and alcohol assessment
Substance Abuse Evaluations in Denver & Northern Colorado
CATC provides professional substance abuse evaluations for adults who need clear documentation, substance use disorder assessment, treatment recommendations, or support meeting court, probation, medical, school, work, or personal requirements.
A practical assessment for serious next steps
A substance abuse evaluation, also called a drug and alcohol evaluation or substance use assessment, helps determine whether alcohol or drug use is creating clinical, legal, relational, work, school, or safety concerns. The evaluation can also identify the right level of care if treatment is recommended.
CATC serves clients in Denver, the Denver Metro Area, Fort Collins, Greeley, Northern Colorado, and eligible telehealth clients across Colorado. Owner and Executive Director David A. Yingling, LPC personally helps connect new clients with the correct service and clinician after they contact CATC.
Evaluation documentation is often requested by courts, probation, employers, schools, attorneys, medical providers, or treatment programs. Requirements differ, so bring any referral instructions, deadline, case details, release forms, or documentation requirements to intake.
When a substance use evaluation may be needed
- Court, probation, DUI, possession, attorney, or legal-system referral.
- Workplace, school, licensing, or program documentation request.
- Questions about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, prescription medication misuse, or other substance use patterns.
- Concern from family, partner, doctor, employer, or other support system.
- Need to understand whether counseling, group support, relapse prevention, or another level of care is appropriate.
What CATC reviews
Referral and intake details
CATC reviews why the evaluation is needed, who requested it, what deadline exists, and what information can be released with your consent.
Substance use history
Your clinician reviews frequency, type, amount, duration, periods of abstinence, triggers, consequences, withdrawal concerns, prior treatment, and relapse patterns.
Mental health and life context
Substance use rarely exists in isolation. CATC also considers stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, work, housing, medical issues, and co-occurring symptoms.
Recommendations
The outcome may include no treatment, education, outpatient counseling, group therapy, relapse-prevention planning, mental health therapy, medication evaluation, or referral to another level of care.
Why choose CATC
- More than 30 years in business serving Colorado mental health and substance use clients.
- Integrated care options for both substance use and mental health needs.
- In-person Denver appointments and telehealth options for eligible Colorado clients.
- Colorado Medicaid, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and self-pay accepted.
- Referral-aware documentation for clients navigating courts, probation, employers, schools, or medical systems.
Substance abuse evaluation FAQs
Is this the same as a DUI evaluation?
Some clients request evaluations because of DUI-related requirements, but exact requirements vary by case and referral source. Bring the paperwork so CATC can review what is being requested.
Will CATC recommend treatment automatically?
No. Recommendations should match the evaluation findings. CATC assesses whether treatment, education, counseling, monitoring, or another step is clinically appropriate.
Can substance abuse evaluations be completed by telehealth?
Telehealth may be available for eligible Colorado clients depending on clinical needs and the requirements of the referral source.
Does CATC provide therapy after the evaluation?
Yes. If substance abuse counseling, group support, mental health therapy, or medication evaluation is recommended, CATC can discuss internal service options or outside referrals.