Which is not a key goal and purposes of assessment?

• A. Whether or not substance or alcohol problems exists.
• B. Identify problem severity
• C. Inform treatment planning
• D. Assess comorbidity

Answer: (A)

Assessments aim to understand how substance use affects a person, how severe it is, and what other conditions are present so that treatment can be tailored effectively. Determining whether a problem exists is typically handled earlier through screening, which flags whether further assessment is needed. A full assessment goes beyond yes/no existence and focuses on how severe the problem is (to guide the level of care and urgency), identifies comorbidity (co-occurring mental or physical health issues that influence treatment choices), and informs treatment planning (selecting appropriate interventions, setting goals, and anticipating challenges). So the option about whether a problem exists is not a primary, ongoing goal of assessment; the other items are central to shaping an effective treatment approach.