This is a structured process used by counsellors, psychologists, or healthcare providers to evaluate the extent of an individual’s substance use, the impact on their life, and the presence of dependency or addiction. The goal is to gather comprehensive information to guide treatment planning and intervention.

Key Components of an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Assessment

• Personal and Medical History - Family background, upbringing, and exposure to substances. Physical health history, past or current illnesses, and hospitalizations.
• Substance Use History - Types of substances used (alcohol, drugs, prescription medication, etc.). Frequency, quantity, and duration of use. Age of first use and patterns of escalation.
• Psychological and Emotional Health - Screening for depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health conditions. Understanding emotional triggers that influence substance use.
• Behavioural and Social Impact - Effect on relationships, work, school, finances, and legal issues. Risk-taking behaviours, withdrawal from responsibilities, or social isolation.
• Physical and Cognitive Symptoms - Presence of tolerance (needing more to get the same effect). Withdrawal symptoms when not using. Memory lapses, blackouts, or impaired judgment.
• Risk and Safety Assessment - Assessing for self-harm, overdose risk, or harm to others. Evaluating living environment and support systems

• CAGE Questionnaire (Alcohol-focused, quick tool)
• AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
• DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test)
• ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test)
• CRAFFT Screening Tool (Adolescents and young adults)
• SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)

Diagnosis: It identifies the presence and severity of addiction using DSM-5 criteria and screening tools. Diagnosis is based on clinical interviews, screening tools, and standardized criteria such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition).

Treatment Planning - Treatment plans are individualized and developed after assessment. They typically include: Detoxification (Medical Stabilization), Psychosocial Interventions, Pharmacological Treatment, and Relapse Prevention and Aftercare.

• Definition: The client lives at a treatment facility for a set period (usually 28 days to several months). Inpatient, the client lives inside the facility in an intensive, safe, and structured environment.
• Structure: Highly structured, with 24/7 medical and counselling support.
• Services: Detoxification, individual and group therapy, medical supervision, skills training, and relapse prevention.
• Best for: Severe addiction or long-term substance abuse. Clients with a high risk of relapse. People without a stable or supportive home environment.
• Advantages: Constant supervision and safety. Removal from daily triggers and access to drugs/alcohol. Intensive therapy and peer support.
• Limitations: More Time commitment (must stay away from work/school/family).

• Definition: The client lives at home but attends scheduled treatment sessions (e.g., daily, weekly, or several times a week). Outpatient clients live at home, are flexible, require less supervision, and depend on personal discipline and support.
• Structure: Flexible; allows continuation of work, school, or family responsibilities.
• Services: Counselling, group therapy, educational sessions, medication management, and relapse prevention.
• Best for mild to moderate addiction: Clients with strong motivation and family/community support. Those who have already completed inpatient treatment but need follow-up care.
• Advantages: Less costly than inpatient. Clients practice recovery skills in real-life settings. Flexibility for daily life activities.
• Limitations: Greater exposure to triggers and temptations. Less supervision and accountability. Risk of relapse if the home environment is unstable.

• Drugs are chemical substances that, when taken into the body, affect how the body and mind work. They can change mood, perception, behavior, and bodily functions. Some drugs are legal (e.g., prescribed medicine, caffeine, alcohol) while others are illegal (e.g., cocaine, heroin).
• Substances is a broader term that includes any material that people might take into their bodies to change how they feel or function. This covers alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and illicit drugs.

Based on Effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS):

• Depressants - Slow down brain activity and body functions. Effects: relaxation, reduced anxiety, drowsiness, impaired coordination. Examples: Alcohol, opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine), benzodiazepines, barbiturates.
• Stimulants - Speed up brain activity, increase alertness, and energy. Effects: increased energy, confidence, heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of anxiety/paranoia. Examples: Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, khat, methamphetamine.
• Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) - Distort perception, mood, thought, and reality. Effects: hallucinations, altered sense of time and space, spiritual-like experiences. Examples: LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, PCP, mescaline, DMT.
• Cannabis - Has mixed effects (can act as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen), depending on the strain and amount. Effects: relaxation, euphoria, altered perception, impaired memory, and anxiety in some cases. Examples: Marijuana, hashish, cannabis oil/edibles.
• Inhalants – Chemical vapers inhaled for psychoactive effects. Substances inhaled for a quick high are often toxic chemicals. Effects: dizziness, euphoria, hallucinations, risk of brain/nervous system damage. Examples: Glue, petrol, paint thinners, aerosol sprays, nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
• Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs - Medicines are legally prescribed but misused when taken in excess, without a prescription, or for non-medical reasons. Effects vary depending on the drug (pain relief, drowsiness, euphoria). Examples: Painkillers (oxycodone, tramadol), sleeping pills, cough syrups with codeine.

Based on Legality:

• Illegal drugs: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy.
• Legal drugs: Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, prescription medicines (when used properly).
• Controlled drugs: Legal Prescription drugs only with medical authorization (e.g., morphine, sleeping pills).

Based on Medical Use

• Medicinal drugs: Prescribed for treatment (e.g., antibiotics, painkillers, antipsychotics).
• Non-medicinal/Illicit drugs: Used for recreation or abuse, no accepted medical use in most cases (e.g., heroin, LSD).

Based on Dependence Potential

• Soft drugs: Lower risk of dependence (e.g., caffeine, some forms of cannabis).
• Hard drugs: Highly addictive, severe health and social consequences (e.g., heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine).

This describes how a person moves from first use of a substance or behaviour to dependence and eventually addiction. It usually develops in stages, though the pace may vary depending on the drug, environment, and individual factors. Addiction is not just “bad behaviour” but a chronic brain disorder that changes reward, motivation, memory, and self-control systems. Recovery often requires counselling, medical support, and lifestyle changes.

1. Experimentation (Initiation Stage - The person tries alcohol, drugs, or another addictive behaviour out of curiosity, peer pressure, or social influence. Use is occasional and often seen as harmless.
2. Regular Use (Social or Recreational Stage) - Substance use becomes more frequent in social or personal settings. The person may begin to rely on it for relaxation, fun, or stress relief. Still some control, but the pattern is forming.
3. Risky Use (Problem Stage) - The person starts using substances in dangerous situations (e.g., before driving, at work, or in excess). Negative effects appear: poor performance at school/work, strained relationships, and health issues. Denial often begins (“I can stop anytime”).
4. Dependence (Physical & Psychological) - Tolerance: Needing more of the substance to feel the same effect. Withdrawal: Experiencing unpleasant physical/psychological symptoms when not using. The person feels unable to function “normally” without the drug.
5. Addiction (substance use disorder) - Loss of control over use despite severe consequences. Compulsive cravings dominate thoughts and behaviour. Substance becomes the priority over relationships, work, health, and responsibilities. Long-term brain changes reinforce the cycle of craving and relapse.

The brain plays a central role in addiction because drugs and alcohol directly affect how the brain’s reward and control systems work. Addiction is now understood as a chronic brain disorder rather than just a lack of willpower. Addiction is a brain disease because it changes brain chemistry, structure, and function. Recovery is possible, but it often requires treatment that addresses both the biological (brain changes) and psychological (behaviour, coping skills) aspects.

The Reward System (Dopamine Pathway) - Most addictive substances increase dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical, in the brain’s reward circuit (especially in the nucleus accumbens). This creates intense pleasure or euphoria, reinforcing the behaviour. Over time, the brain learns to crave the substance as the fastest way to feel good.

Learning and Memory (Conditioning) - The hippocampus and amygdala record memories of the pleasurable experience. Triggers (people, places, stress, or objects linked to use) activate cravings. This is why relapse often happens in familiar environments or emotional states.

Tolerance and Dependence - With repeated use, the brain reduces natural dopamine production and receptor sensitivity. The person needs larger amounts (tolerance) to feel the same effect. Without the drug, the brain struggles to maintain balance, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Impulse Control and Decision-Making - The prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment, self-control, and decision-making) becomes weakened. This makes it harder to resist cravings, even when the person knows the negative consequences.

Stress and Survival Mechanisms -  Drugs hijack the brain’s survival system. Normally, food, water, and relationships motivate us. With addiction, the brain treats the substance as a “survival need”, overriding logic. Stress hormones (like cortisol) also increase cravings.

This is a person who has developed a compulsive dependence on a substance (like alcohol or drugs) or a behavior (like gambling, gaming, or sex), despite knowing the negative consequences it causes in their life. An addict is not just someone who “uses drugs or alcohol.” Addiction is a chronic brain disease marked by changes in reward, motivation, memory, and self-control. With proper counselling, medical treatment, and support, recovery is possible.

Characteristics of an Addict

• Loss of Control -  Cannot limit or stop use once started.
• Tolerance - Needs more of the substance to feel the same effect.
• Neglect of Responsibilities -  Work, school, family, or personal health suffers.
• Withdrawal -  Experiences physical or psychological symptoms when not using.
• Cravings - Strong urges or compulsions to use the substance/engage in the behavior.
• Continued Use Despite Harm - Keeps using even after health, financial, or relationship problems appear.
• Prioritization of the Substance -  Substance or behavior becomes the central focus of life, replacing healthy interests and activities.

Seeking addiction recovery is important because it restores health, relationships, dignity, and overall quality of life, while preventing long-term harm.

• Physical Health Improvement - Allows the body to heal and regain strength. Prevents overdose and other medical emergencies. Reduces risk of organ damage (liver, heart, lungs, brain).
• Mental and Emotional Well-Being - Reduces anxiety, depression, and stress linked to substance use. Helps restore clear thinking, memory, and decision-making. Promotes emotional stability and self-confidence.
• Restored Relationships - Recovery helps rebuild trust with family, friends, and colleagues. Improves communication and social support. Reduces conflict, isolation, and stigma.
• Personal Growth and Productivity - Frees up time, money, and energy spent on addiction. Increases focus, creativity, and performance at school or work. Opens opportunities for education, career, and hobbies.
• Safety and Legal Protection - Reduces risky behaviours (unsafe sex, driving under the influence, violence). Prevents legal issues such as arrests, fines, or imprisonment. Provides stability and safer living conditions.
• Breaking the Cycle for Future Generations - Recovery reduces the risk of children or family members repeating the same patterns. Creates a healthier family environment and role modelling.
• Spiritual and Personal Fulfillment - Many find renewed purpose, hope, and meaning in life during recovery. Encourages self-discovery and healthier coping strategies.

• Assessment and Diagnosis - Conducts interviews and uses screening tools to understand the severity of addiction. Identifies co-occurring mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety). Helps create a personalized treatment plan.
• Education and Awareness - Teaches clients about addiction as a brain disorder, not just “bad behaviour.” Explains the effects of drugs/alcohol and the recovery process. Provides coping strategies and relapse-prevention techniques.
• Emotional Support - Offers a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to express feelings. Builds trust and therapeutic rapport. Encourages self-esteem and hope for change.
• Counselling and Therapy - Uses evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to challenge negative thoughts. Motivational Interviewing (MI) to strengthen readiness for change. Family therapy to repair relationships. Helps clients explore root causes of addiction (trauma, stress, peer influence).
• Relapse Prevention - Identifies triggers and high-risk situations. Trains clients in coping skills (stress management, healthy alternatives). Develops a personalized relapse prevention plan.
• Coordination of Care - Refers clients to detox, medical treatment, or inpatient/outpatient programs if needed. Works with doctors, psychiatrists, and support groups. Ensures continuity of care during and after treatment.
• Advocacy and Support Systems - Encourages participation in peer support groups (AA, NA, community programs). Advocates for clients in accessing housing, education, or employment. Supports reintegration into family and society.

Provides versatile counselling to our clients within the county and in the Global space at the Online/Virtual Center, which is open from 6.00 AM to Midnight every day of the week. This dynamic center allows our Global clients to equally access therapy services from their country of residence, and for the other clients that treasure privacy to equally access therapy on or out of camera. However, for those around Nairobi, the Capital City of Kenya, we have a Physical Office for you in Nairobi, Upper Hill- Kenya Medical Association (KAM) Center. The Physical Center is open from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM to accommodate those of you who are working.

The cost for virtual and physical therapy is the same, and our client can interchange the model without any penalty. The therapy session can be One-on-One, Joint/Couple, or Group therapy. We are a prepaid honest center, and once payment is made, it is reserved for a therapy session. It does not matter how long the client takes to be available; you cannot lose your money while in our system. Please take time and read our terms and conditions, to understand important parameters like session cancellation is done within 24 hours, and once payment is made for a therapy session, it cannot be refunded, but should be used for a therapy session only.

We have professional counsellors trained and licensed to provide all forms of therapy, but with expertise in stress management therapy. With their support, you will learn your triggers to stress, ways of managing the stress, and skills to manage frustration and coping mechanisms. Your therapist will provide a safe space to catharsis (vent out); help you to develop coping strategies, reshape your thinking patterns, improve your relationship, performance and address the issue at hand better. Book a therapy session and find a mental wellness support and personal therapist to walk and guide you to manage that stress, which is interfering with your life. Do not share your story in the wrong places and with the wrong people; they do not care about you. Come and Share with a Counsellor at our Center, At Share We Care. Come and Share with a Counsellor at our Center, At Share We Care.

You can use Call, SMS, or WhatsApp, using any of the two official lines provided below at the contact us. In case you miss us using one medium, especially the call, use SMS or WhatsApp Chat, and we will promptly respond. You can access our services through our official email, and the administrator will escalate your request to the client manager for action.