American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

ASAM provides patient placement criteria for the treatment of substance-related disorders, 2nd Edition (ASAM, PPC-2).

To increase the effectiveness of patient's substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse care and to foster the development of universally accepted patient placement criteria ASAM published the "ASAM Patient Placement Criteria for the Treatment of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders." These criteria have been accepted by many evaluators and mental health professionals. In the public sector, some states are requiring that providers and managed care companies within these states use the ASAM criteria. However, it should be noted that ASAM Criteria are not universally accepted by evaluators and mental health professionals

There is sentiment that ASAM is not "universally accepted." Some mental health professionals are of the opinion that ASAM escalates its recommendations for inpatient treatment too rapidly. Others argue that a "universally accepted" patient placement criteria is too "rigid" and "limiting" and many patient's substance abuse-related problems require individualized consideration.

ASAM requires organizations to submit hard copy print or guidelines to the ASAM Criteria Committee for review and approval. ASAM charges a review fee for guideline review and a license fee or royalties will be charged for the use of ASAM "criteria."

Since ASAM will not authorize the incorporation of "ASAM Criteria" in whole or in part into non-ASAM-owned and copyrighted software, Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. does not attempt to present or impose ASAM criteria beyond noting that many of ASAM's criteria are generic, all inclusive and sweeping in nature. And it is these all-encompassing recommendations that Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. refers to when it states that its substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse recommendations are ASAM compatible. Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. does agree with ASAM that "problem severity" is an important consideration when deciding upon treatment intensity.

The following observations are simply ASAM quotes that were abstracted for clarity:

"Within the context of DSM-IV classification of substance abuse, ASAM notes there are exceptions to ASAM's recommended levels of care and these exceptions are based on symptom severity.

Continuing, treatment within any level of care may be modified according to the severity of a client's substance (alcohol or other drugs) abuse condition.

Individuals must meet DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse "or other standardized and widely accepted criteria, but whose symptoms are severe enough to warrant assessment".

ASAM continues, treatment within any level of care may be modified according to the severity of the client's substance (alcohol and other drugs) - related condition.