Substance Abuse Assessment and Evaluation in Iowa

A confidential clinical evaluation that tells you whether a substance use disorder is present and what level of care, if any, is recommended.

A substance abuse assessment is a structured clinical evaluation that determines whether a substance use disorder is present and what level of care, if any, is recommended. Radix Recovery provides confidential assessments for court-ordered, OWI/DUI, workplace and EAP, and family-requested situations, using ASAM placement criteria, and connects the results directly to a treatment plan when one is needed.

ASAM dimensions every evaluation considers
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Evaluation types: court, OWI/DUI, workplace, family
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24/7

Confidential scheduling

Trusted in-network insurance partnerships

ASAM criteria

Evaluations use the recognized placement standard.

Court-ready

Documentation for courts, attorneys, and probation.

Confidential

A private evaluation with clear next steps.

Connected to care

Results link directly to a treatment plan.

Kayla Borja Frost

Chief Clinical Officer

This page was clinically and medically reviewed for accuracy and alignment with current addiction medicine standards.

Last Reviewed

July 2026

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Director Of Nursing

What Is a Substance Abuse Assessment?

Assessment 01 of 02

A Formal Clinical Evaluation

A substance abuse assessment is a formal clinical evaluation conducted by a qualified professional to determine whether a substance use disorder is present, how severe it is, and what level of care is appropriate. It is more thorough than an online quiz: it combines a structured clinical interview, standardized screening tools, and a review of history to produce a clear, documented recommendation.

Assessment 02 of 02

By Choice or by Requirement

People come to us for an assessment for many reasons, some by choice and some by requirement. Whatever brings you here, the evaluation itself is confidential, respectful, and designed to give you an honest, useful picture and a clear next step.

An assessment is more thorough than an online quiz. It produces a documented, diagnosis-level recommendation suitable for legal and treatment-planning purposes.

Types of Assessment We Provide

Bring your paperwork. For court-ordered and OWI/DUI evaluations, we explain exactly what documentation to bring when you schedule.

We conduct evaluations for a range of situations, including those with legal or workplace requirements:

Whatever brings you here, the process is respectful and the recommendation is clear and documented.

The Assessment Process

The process is straightforward and respectful from start to finish:
The Process 01 of 04

Schedule & Intake Step 1

Call to schedule. We explain what to bring, especially for court-ordered or OWI evaluations with specific documentation needs.

The Process 02 of 04

Clinical Interview & Screening Step 2

A qualified professional conducts a structured interview and standardized screening, reviewing your history without judgment.

The Process 03 of 04

Recommendation Using ASAM Step 3

We determine whether a substance use disorder is present and, if so, the recommended level of care, documented clearly.

The Process 04 of 04

Documentation & Next Steps Step 4

You receive the documentation you need, and if treatment is recommended, we can connect you directly to the right program.

Evaluations use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, the standard framework for matching a person to the right level of care.[1]

The Six ASAM Dimensions

ASAM criteria match a person to the right level of care by weighing six dimensions:

A short, confidential conversation is all it takes to see which level of care these dimensions point to for you.

(319) 270-2890(319) 270-2890Speak With Admissions Now

A trusted referral source for courts and attorneys. Attorneys, probation officers, and courts across Iowa refer clients to Radix for timely, defensible substance use evaluations. We understand what legal audiences need: clear documentation, ASAM-based recommendations, and a professional process that holds up to scrutiny. If you are facing a court requirement, we make compliance straightforward; if you are a legal professional seeking a reliable evaluation partner, our team is ready to help.

Get a Clear, Confidential Answer

Whether the assessment is by choice or by requirement, our team makes it straightforward. Call to schedule a confidential evaluation, available 24/7.

Before and After the Assessment

The assessment connects to the rest of your path, from a quick self-check to a direct admission when treatment is recommended.

No gap between evaluation and help. If treatment is recommended, we connect you directly to the right level of care.

Self-check → Assessment → The right level of care

Am I a Drug Addict? Quiz

A fast, informal self-screen if you are not sure whether a formal assessment is your next step.

Addiction Intervention

When a loved one will not seek an assessment on their own, a professional intervention can help.

Medical Detox

Medically supervised withdrawal, the safe first step when an assessment recommends detox.

Inpatient Rehab

24/7 residential treatment when the evaluation points to a higher level of care.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP)

Day treatment with strong clinical structure as a step down.

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

Flexible outpatient care that fits around work, school, and family.

Assessments for Residents Across Iowa

Radix Recovery provides substance abuse assessments from our Cedar Rapids campus and serves residents across Iowa, coordinating court, attorney, and probation requirements throughout the state.

Cedar Rapids

Our Location

Iowa City

~30 min

Davenport

~1.5 hrs

Quad Cities

~1.5 hrs

Dubuque

~1.5 hrs

Marion

~10 min

Des Moines

~2 hrs

Ankeny

~2 hrs

West Des Moines

~2 hrs

Ames

~1.5 hrs

Waterloo

~1 hr

Cedar Falls

~1 hr

Sioux City

~3.5 hrs

Council Bluffs

~3 hrs

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

A space built for getting well

Move through the facility one room at a time, the living spaces, the gathering rooms, and the grounds where residents reconnect with themselves.

Now viewing Your first step in
Reception
Bedrooms
Lounge
Dining
Fitness
Therapy
01 · Arrival Reception Where arrival feels less like checking in and more like being expected.
02 · Living Bedrooms Comfortable, restful rooms that feel like a real place to heal, not a hospital.
03 · Comfort Lounge and library Quiet corners to read, reflect, or simply sit with your thoughts.
04 · Dining Dining and kitchen A warm, shared table where residents gather over real, home-style meals.
05 · Wellness Fitness center Equipment and open room to rebuild physical strength alongside the mind.
06 · Healing Therapy rooms Private, comfortable rooms built for honest individual and group work.
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Credibility you can verify

Every figure here is documented, licensed, or independently reviewed, so you can check it yourself before you ever call.

Listed by the State of
Iowa

Radix is a listed treatment provider on Your Life Iowa, the official addiction-help resource run by the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services.

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Years of combined
clinical experience

Across the Radix clinical leadership team, from the founding partners to the chief clinical officer.

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Excellent Rating on
Google

Across client reviews of admissions, counseling, detox, and residential care.

Joint Commission
Accredited

The national standard for safety, treatment quality, and staff training in healthcare.

Why Families Trust Radix Recovery

Real outcomes from real people. Hear what our clients and their loved ones have to say about their time in our program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Abuse Assessments

It is a formal clinical evaluation by a qualified professional to determine whether a substance use disorder is present, how severe it is, and what level of care is recommended. It combines a structured interview, standardized screening, and history review into a documented recommendation.

It is an assessment required by a court, attorney, or probation as part of a legal case. Radix provides documented, ASAM-based evaluations that meet legal requirements, handled confidentially and professionally.

In Iowa, an OWI charge often requires a substance abuse evaluation. We conduct OWI and DUI evaluations that meet legal and licensing requirements and provide the documentation you need for your case.

A qualified professional conducts a structured clinical interview and standardized screening, reviews your history, and applies ASAM criteria to determine whether a disorder is present and what level of care, if any, is recommended.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria are the standard framework for matching a person to the right level of care, considering withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric conditions, readiness to change, relapse potential, and environment.

Yes. Your evaluation is confidential and conducted with respect. For court-ordered or workplace evaluations, results are shared only as required and authorized.

Our ‘Am I a Drug Addict’ quiz is a quick, informal self-screen. A substance abuse assessment is a formal clinical evaluation that produces a documented, diagnosis-level recommendation, suitable for legal and treatment-planning purposes.

Yes. If the evaluation recommends treatment, we can connect you directly to the appropriate level of care at Radix, from detox through outpatient, with no gap between evaluation and help.

Medically reviewed by Kayla Borja Frost, LMHC, Chief Clinical Officer. This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.

Know Where You Stand, and What Comes Next

A clear, confidential assessment is the first step, whether the outcome is reassurance or a plan for treatment. Call Radix Recovery in Cedar Rapids to schedule, any time.

Primary clinical sources

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ASAM — About The ASAM Criteria (the official body that publishes the criteria)