An Overview of the ASAM Criteria for Adults

Course overview

This learning material provides an overview of The ASAM Criteria - Treatment Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related and Co-occurring Conditions, 4th Edition Volume 1 - Adults (ASAM 4) for counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, school psychologists, social workers, and substance abuse counselors. ASAM 4 is designed to be extremely comprehensive with 23 chapters and 659 pages in the print version. Rather than summarize the entire volume, this learning material focuses on the parts of ASAM 4 of greatest relevance to behavioral health professionals. These parts include the continuum of care (what ASAM believes services should entail), assessments (that inform patient-centered treatment placement and planning), and level of care determination algorithm and processes (that match patients to treatment programs best suited to their needs and preferences). Other parts of ASAM 4 - medical services for patients who benefit from addiction pharmacotherapy and issues common across behavioral health, and uses of The ASAM Criteria for administrative purposes - are summarized briefly in this learning material or not at all. Mental health providers interested in these topics can consult the ASAM 4 directly. This learning material includes sections on ASAM 4's (a) history; (b) development and use; (c) levels of care; and (d) assessments. Case illustrations are also provided to enhance understanding of the ASAM 4 levels of care and patient assessments. Disclaimer. Used with permission from The ASAM Criteria, Treatment Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related, and Co-Occurring Conditions, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). All Rights Reserved. Unless authorized in writing by ASAM, no part may be reproduced or used in a manner inconsistent with ASAM's copyright. This prohibition applies to unauthorized uses or reproductions in any form. ASAM is not affiliated with this training and has not necessarily trained this trainer. Agreement with learners - by taking this course the learner agrees to the following: The ASAM Criteria is copyright of ASAM. LEARNERS are not authorized to and shall not license or permit others to retransmit, reproduce, translate, or distribute the WORK (in whole or in part), other than as necessary for LEARNER to receive the TRAINING. 'ASAM," "American Society of Addiction Medicine," "ASAM Level of CareTM," and the ASAM logos and taglines are registered trademarks of ASAM. Use of ASAM logos and taglines must comply with applicable law and ASAM's fair use guidelines. LEARNERS are not authorized to use ASAM logos and taglines to imply affiliation with or endorsement by ASAM without written permission from ASAM. See https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria/copyright-and-permissions for information related to ASAM's copyright and trademark permissions and fair use guidelines related to The ASAM Criteria. Disclaimer of Medical Liability. The WORK is not a substitute for, is not designed to, and does not provide, medical advice. It is a guide for clinicians. Every clinician should use his or her own medical judgment and skill in diagnosing and treating substance use disorders and mental illness. LICENSOR shall not be liable to LICENSEE, LEANERS, or any other third party if readers of the WORK or patients served by LEARNERS of TRAINING disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking advice, because of something they have read in the WORK or been told by someone associated with the TRAINING. LICENSOR shall not be liable to LICENSEE, LEARNERS, or any other third party if LICENSEE or LEARNERS rely on information in the WORK in making diagnosis, or in place of seeking professional medical advice. RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE WORK IS SOLELY AT THE USER'S OWN RISK. Moreover, LICENSOR is not responsible or liable to LICENSEE, LEARNERS, or any other third party for any advice, course of treatment or diagnosis provided by a physician or other health care professional.