What a Court-Ordered Assessment Is

A court-ordered drug and alcohol assessment — sometimes called a substance abuse evaluation, SUD assessment, or clinical evaluation — is a formal clinical review conducted by a licensed clinician to determine whether an individual meets diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, and if so, what level of treatment is clinically appropriate. It is a diagnostic service, not treatment. The outcome is a written clinical evaluation that the court, probation officer, attorney, or agency can use to make decisions about sentencing, compliance requirements, custody, or licensing.

Restoration Recovery offers these assessments as a standalone service. You do not need to enroll in any of our treatment programs to complete an assessment, and completing an assessment does not obligate you to any further services. If the clinical findings indicate that treatment would be appropriate, we can discuss your options — but the decision is yours.

Who Typically Needs One

Courts, probation departments, attorneys, state agencies, and licensing boards request a drug and alcohol assessment in a variety of situations. Common reasons people schedule one with us include:

  • DUI or DWI charges — a substance use evaluation is frequently required for license reinstatement, sentencing considerations, or as a condition of probation.
  • Probation or pretrial supervision — officers often require a formal assessment early in the probation period to establish a baseline and determine treatment recommendations.
  • Family and custody court — judges may order an assessment as part of custody, visitation, or child-welfare proceedings to evaluate substance-related concerns.
  • Professional licensing boards — nursing, pharmacy, medical, legal, and other state licensing boards may require an evaluation after a complaint, diversion, or impaired-practice concern.
  • Employer-referred evaluations (non-DOT) — some employers request a clinical assessment as part of a return-to-work plan. (Note: we do not currently offer DOT SAP evaluations. If your employer requires a Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional assessment specifically, please confirm before scheduling.)
  • Voluntary / self-referred — some people schedule an assessment on their own to better understand their relationship with substances before deciding whether to pursue treatment.

What’s Included

Your assessment appointment is typically 60 to 90 minutes and includes:

  • Clinical interview covering your substance use history, patterns of use, medical and mental health history, legal history relevant to the referral, and family and social context.
  • DSM-5 substance use disorder assessment — a structured evaluation against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) criteria for substance use disorders, including severity determination (mild, moderate, severe) where a disorder is present.
  • Brief review of any court paperwork or referral documentation you bring, so the written evaluation addresses what the referring party is asking about.
  • Written clinical evaluation suitable for submission to the court, probation officer, attorney, or agency. The evaluation includes your diagnostic findings (if any), the clinician’s recommendations, and the clinician’s credentials and signature.

The written evaluation is generated by the clinician following your appointment. Our intake team will explain how and when you’ll receive your copy during scheduling.

What to Bring

  • A valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Any court paperwork, referral letters, or agency forms requiring the assessment. If the referring party has a specific form they want completed, bring it with you.
  • A list of any medications you currently take (including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements).
  • Relevant legal documentation if applicable (for example, a citation, plea agreement, or probation order).

Pricing & Payment

The drug and alcohol assessment is a flat $150, cash only, paid at the time of service. This is a standalone diagnostic service and is not billed to insurance — most insurance plans do not cover court-ordered evaluations, so we’ve kept the pricing transparent and predictable instead.

There are no additional fees for the written evaluation, and the $150 covers both the clinical appointment and the written report.

If the assessment findings indicate that treatment would be clinically appropriate and you choose to pursue care with us afterward, our treatment services are billed to insurance where applicable (TennCare and most commercial carriers accepted). Treatment pricing is separate from the assessment and is discussed during the intake call.

Scheduling and Turnaround

We typically have same-week availability for assessments at all four clinic locations. To schedule, call 423-498-2000 or contact us and let the intake team know you need a court-ordered drug and alcohol assessment. They will confirm which location works best for you, explain the process, and answer any questions about how your report will be delivered.

If you have a court deadline approaching, tell the intake team when you call — they will do their best to fit you in on a timeline that works.

Four Clinic Locations

Assessments are available in person at all four outpatient locations:

What Happens After the Assessment

After your appointment, the clinician prepares your written evaluation. Once complete, your copy is available to you — the intake team will confirm the delivery method when you schedule. You are responsible for submitting the evaluation to the requesting party (court, probation officer, attorney, or agency); in most cases it’s simplest to deliver or upload it yourself.

If the evaluation identifies a substance use disorder and you want to pursue treatment, our care team can walk you through the next steps — medication options, intensive outpatient, behavioral health care, or any combination — on a separate call. There is no obligation to start treatment with us simply because you completed an assessment here.