Overview
The ASAM Criteria is a clinical tool that aids addiction medicine clinicians in identifying and developing individualized treatment plans for SUD patients. The ASAM Criteria recognizes that the disease of addiction is complex and specific to each patient, allowing clinicians to develop treatment plans that meet the individual’s needs.
Background
In 2017, Pennsylvania adopted The ASAM Criteria, Third Edition 2013. Today, Pennsylvania clinicians in the drug and alcohol field have been trained to use and implement The ASAM Criteria when developing treatment plans for individuals with substance use disorder.
Documents for Providers
The following documents provide guidance for the application of The ASAM Criteria, Third Edition 2013 for professionals in the substance use disorder treatment system in Pennsylvania.
FAQs
These lists include DDAP-licensed facilities that have complete the process for aligning with The ASAM Criteria, Third Edition 2013 based on a review of policies, procedures, and plans for service delivery.
ASAM Level 2.5 (Partial Hospitalization Services) Aligned Facilities
ASAM Level 3.7 (Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient) Aligned Facilities
When an individual with substance use disorder makes the brave decision to enter drug and/or alcohol treatment they are first assessed by a clinician to determine the level of care they need to help them lead happy, healthy lives in recovery from substance use disorder.
The clinician uses The ASAM Criteria to complete the assessment and develops a treatment plan based on the individual’s specific needs.
The ASAM Criteria is a standardized format that ensures individualized flexibility in patient treatment plans.
Patients work with their treatment providers to create an individualized treatment plan. This means it pays attention to the whole patient, including all of their life areas, as well as all risks, needs, strengths and goals.
Using The ASAM Criteria, patients can:
- Become active participants in their own care.
- Learn about, anticipate and understand treatment options.
- Use The ASAM Criteria to better understand how risks strengths, skills and resources in one life area can affect another.
For treatment providers, The ASAM Criteria provides a holistic approach for determining individualized and outcome-driven treatment plans for patients.
Using The ASAM Criteria as a guide, practitioners can:
- Assist a patient from assessment through treatment.
- Work with the patient to determine goals.
- Help rank and rate all the patient’s risks to determine where to focus treatment and services.
- Determine intensity and frequency of service, including the transfer to more or less intense services as needed.
The ASAM Criteria provides one common language for assessing patient needs. With The ASAM Criteria, managed care organizations can easily work with treatment providers to ensure plan participants are receiving the treatment that best fits their needs and that resources are widely used.
Service Alignment Documents
- Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services by Service Characteristics
- Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services Self Assessment Checklist
- Level 2.1 Co-occurring by Service Characteristics
- Level 2.5 Partial Hospitalization Services by Service Characteristic
- Level 2.5 Partial Hospitalization Services Self Assessment Checklist
- Level 2.5 Co-Occurring by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.1 Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.1 Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services Self Assessment
- Level 3.1 Co-occurring by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.5 Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.5 Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services Self Assessment
- Level 3.5 Co-Occurring by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.7 Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Services by Service Characteristics
- Level 3.7 Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Services Self Assessment
- Level 3.7 Co-Occurring by Service Characteristics
Approved ASAM Criteria Training
DDAP's three approved training options for The ASAM Criteria are detailed in this notice.
ASAM Technical Assistance
DDAP offers ASAM Technical Assistance webinars to provide resources, training, and information to support providers with ASAM alignment across all levels of care.
Stream recordings of past webinars and download their slidedecks below. Email RA-DAASAM@pa.gov to be added to webinar calendar invitations.