Assessments for Mental Health and Addiction Disorders at EHN Canada
How information guides care and recovery
Assessments are a core part of how treatment works at EHN Canada. Rather than relying on conversations or observation alone, assessments provide structured insight into symptoms, risks, progress, and how treatment is affecting daily life. They help clinicians understand how someone is responding to care, identify patterns that may not be obvious right away, and support informed clinical decision‑making throughout treatment.
Assessments are not used to label or judge. They are tools that support personalized care, guide clinical decision‑making, and help ensure treatment remains responsive to each individual’s needs throughout recovery.
Assessments used in addiction treatment
The LDQ is a short assessment that measures the severity of dependence on substances. It focuses on psychological and behavioural aspects of substance use rather than specific substances or quantities used. The LDQ helps clinicians understand how strongly substance use is affecting thoughts, habits, and daily functioning.
The DTCQ‑8D measures confidence in managing tempting or triggering situations. It helps identify areas where someone may feel more vulnerable to relapse, directing treatment teams on where to focus on skill‑building, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
Assessments used in mental health treatment
The DSM-5 is a standardized diagnostic framework used to identify mental health and substance‑related disorders. It helps clinicians establish a clear starting point and ensures consistency in diagnosis. While diagnosing disorders is important, it is only one part of treatment and does not measure progress or recovery on its own.
The PHQ‑9 is a widely used assessment that measures symptoms of depression. It helps clinicians understand symptom severity and track changes over time, supporting treatment planning and ongoing care decisions.
The GAD‑7 measures symptoms of anxiety, including worry, tension, and restlessness. It is commonly used to assess baseline anxiety levels and monitor progress throughout treatment.
Assessments used in trauma treatment
The CAPS-5 is a structured clinical interview used to assess trauma‑related symptoms and diagnose PTSD.
The PCL‑5 is a self‑report assessment that measures trauma‑related symptoms. It is often used alongside clinical interviews to track symptom changes and treatment progress over time.
Measuring beyond disorder symptoms
Symptom improvement is important, but it does not tell the whole story. At EHN Canada, assessments are also used to understand how treatment is affecting daily life, independence, confidence, and readiness for life after treatment. These measures help teams look beyond symptom reduction and support long‑term recovery.
The OQ-45 measures how someone is functioning in daily life, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, and everyday responsibilities. It helps clinicians understand how treatment is impacting life outside of therapy sessions, not just symptom levels.
The RTW‑SE measures confidence in returning to work or resuming responsibilities. It supports discharge planning and helps teams assess readiness for reintegration into daily life.
The SWLS measures overall life satisfaction. It provides insight into quality of life and personal wellbeing, which are important indicators of long‑term recovery.
The AHS and I‑8 assessments measure internal drivers of recovery, such as motivation, insight, and engagement in change. These tools help clinicians understand strengths and areas for continued support beyond symptom improvement.
Why does EHN Canada use Measurement‑Based Care?
Measurement‑Based Care helps treatment teams understand what is working and when adjustments may be needed. By regularly reviewing assessment results alongside clinical conversations, teams can track progress, respond to changes, and tailor care more effectively. This approach helps ensure treatment decisions are informed, intentional, and aligned with each individual’s goals, rather than relying solely on discussion-based check‑ins.
What is the difference between Measurement‑Based Care and evidence‑based treatment?
Evidence‑based treatment refers to using therapies and interventions supported by research. Measurement‑Based Care focuses on tracking outcomes during treatment. At EHN Canada, these approaches work together: evidence‑based therapies are delivered, and Measurement‑Cased care helps ensure they are effective for each individual.
Visit our treatment modalities page to learn more about EHN Canada’s evidence-based care approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are assessments used to give a diagnosis?
Some assessments support diagnosis, while others are used to understand symptoms, daily functioning, and progress over time. Diagnosis helps establish a starting point, but recovery involves much more than a diagnosis alone.
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Will my treatment change based on assessment results?
Assessment results are reviewed alongside clinical conversations and your own experience of treatment. They help inform discussions and decisions, but care is never changed based on scores alone.
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