Screening in addiction counseling is primarily used to:

Screening in addiction counseling is primarily used to:

• A. Identify whether an individual may have a substance use issue or related concerns and determine the appropriate level of care or next steps.
• B. Schedule ongoing therapy sessions.
• C. Complete billing information for services.
• D. Assess the client's readiness for change.

Answer: (A)

Screening in addiction counseling is a brief, initial process that helps determine whether a person may have a substance use issue and related concerns and to decide the appropriate level of care or next steps. This focus on identifying potential problems and directing referrals or a plan for further assessment is why it’s the best choice. Scheduling ongoing therapy sessions and handling billing are administrative tasks, not the core aim of screening. Assessing readiness for change belongs more to a deeper assessment or motivational approaches used during treatment planning, rather than the brief screening step. Tools like SBIRT illustrate how screening flags concerns and points to the appropriate next steps.