What is Assessment?

Do I Have A Problem with Drugs and/or Alcohol?
Questions to ask yourself if you think you may have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol: Do I Have a Problem?

To Begin Treatment
In order to begin treatment, you will need to be assessed and evaluated to determine the need for treatment and what level of treatment best addresses those needs. An assessment should be conducted by someone qualified to evaluate the nature and extent of any problem and the most appropriate means by which to address the problem. You may seek assessment and evaluation services through TASC (Treatment Access and Services Center), Berks County’s central intake unit or by contacting any of the outpatient providers.

You are on State or County Probation or Parole: If you are seeking inpatient treatment or have any involvement with the legal system (probation, parole) you must go to TASC for an assessment. TASC is located at 19 North Sixth Street, Suite 300 Reading. The telephone number is 610-375-4426.

You are involved with Children and Youth Services: You must go to TASC for an assessment. TASC is located at 19 North Sixth Street, Suite 300 Reading. The telephone number is 610-375-4426.

You are not sure of what level of care you may need: You can be assessed directly at any local drug and alcohol counseling center that has a contract with Berks County.
Treatment facilities in Berks County.

You have private insurance: You should contact your insurance carrier to find out how to get into treatment. Usually the customer service number is on the back of your insurance card. If not ask your employer's Human Resources department for the number.

You will pay for treatment privately: Directly contact your preferred treatment provider by telephone to arrange an appointment for an evaluation.

You do not have health insurance and cannot pay for treatment: If you do not have health insurance and cannot pay for treatment, you may be eligible for public funds. To find out, you can go to TASC at 19 North Sixth Street, Suite 300 in Reading, or call a local contracted outpatient treatment provider to schedule an assessment evaluation.

You have a child who needs help but refuses treatment: Act 53 provides parents and legal guardians a means by which to commit their drug/alcohol involved child to treatment services. In Berks County, the point of contact for initiating Act 53 proceedings is the Juvenile Probation Office. If necessary, the probation department will refer the child for a drug and alcohol assessment. If treatment is recommended as a result of this assessment, the child must comply with this treatment or involuntary commitment proceedings will be initiated. For more information, contact the Berks County Probation Department at (610) 478-3200. Act 53 of 1997 amended the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act by adding language to allow for the commitment of minors to involuntary drug and alcohol treatment services. Prior to passage of this act, parents and legal guardians had no means of compelling their children to obtain drug and alcohol treatment services.

Notice to Individuals Receiving Substance Abuse Services: In accordance with Federal regulation, pregnant women are afforded preference with regard to access to treatment services funded by the Council. No provider of substance abuse services receiving Federal funds from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including this organization, may discriminate against you on the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to actively participate in a religious practice. If you object to the religious character of this organization, Federal law gives you the right to a referral to another provider of substance abuse services. The referral, and your receipt of alternative services, must occur within a reasonable period of time after you request them. The alternative provider must be accessible to you and have the capacity to provide substance abuse services. The services provided to you by the alternative provider must be of a value not less than the value of services you would have received from this organization.

Contact Christa McCusker with questions or comments about this website.Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.