For the person conducting an assessment, ask: “What is this person’s professional role and credential? Is the credential independently licensed, registered, certified, or working under supervision? Who reviews the assessment?” For the person developing a care plan, ask who approves it, how often it is reviewed, and how your health, mental health, family situation, housing, work, and other needs inform it. NIDA treatment principles emphasize that needs differ and that care should address the individual, not only substance use.
For counseling roles, ask what credential each person holds, what work that credential permits in California, and who provides clinical supervision. For health-related roles, ask who evaluates health concerns, who decides whether outside care is needed, and what professional credential applies. If medications are discussed, ask who evaluates clinical appropriateness, who prescribes, who monitors, and what happens when that professional is unavailable. These are questions, not statements about services at Living Longer Recovery or any other facility. Do not assume that incidental medical services mean medical detox or continuous medical coverage.
- Assessment: role, credential, scope, reviewer, and supervision.
- Care planning: author, approver, review process, and individual needs considered.
- Counseling: credential, permitted responsibilities, supervisor, and coverage arrangement, if applicable to the service discussed.