Completing an alcohol and drug evaluation is only the first step. What happens next, the written report, the treatment recommendations, how results are submitted to the court, and what programs you may need to complete, is what most people are actually concerned about.
AACS Atlanta has guided clients through this process across Georgia for over 25 years. This guide explains exactly what to expect after your alcohol and drug evaluation, step by step.
Step 1 — You Receive a Written Clinical Report
After your evaluation is complete, your counselor prepares a comprehensive written clinical report. This report is the formal documentation of your evaluation findings. It includes:
- A clinical diagnosis of whether a substance use disorder is present and at what severity level
- A summary of your substance use history and relevant background
- Individualized recommendations for treatment or programs, if warranted
- Risk level classification (for DUI evaluations: Level I, Level II, or Clinical Intervention)
- Your counselor’s professional clinical opinion and supporting rationale
At AACS Atlanta, same-day written reports are available when all documentation is complete. For clients with urgent court deadlines, this is critical. You leave your appointment with the documentation you need.
Step 2 — The Report Is Submitted to the Designated Recipient
Your written report is submitted to whoever requires it: your court, probation officer, attorney, DFCS caseworker, the Georgia Department of Driver Services, or your employer. You also receive a personal copy for your records.
The report is shared only with the parties you designate. It is not automatically reported to law enforcement or any government agency unless you specifically authorize it. The evaluation is a confidential clinical process.
| Recipient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Court / Judge | Sentencing decisions and compliance requirements |
| Probation Officer | Monitoring and program requirements |
| Defense Attorney | Legal strategy and case documentation |
| Georgia DDS / DMV | Driver’s license reinstatement after DUI |
| DFCS Caseworker | Child custody and parental fitness determination |
| Employer | Pre-employment or fitness-for-duty screening |
| Individual / Client | Personal copy for records |
AACS Atlanta coordinates report submission directly with courts, probation offices, and DFCS when required. You do not need to manage this process alone.
Step 3 — Understand Your Evaluation Outcome
The evaluation produces one of several possible clinical outcomes. Your outcome determines what, if anything, you are required to complete next. Not every evaluation results in a treatment recommendation.
| Outcome | What It Means | What You Must Complete |
|---|---|---|
| No disorder identified | Substance use does not meet diagnostic criteria | Written report submitted — no treatment required |
| Mild substance use disorder | Early-stage patterns identified | Brief outpatient counseling or educational program |
| Moderate substance use disorder | Significant patterns requiring structured support | Outpatient counseling — ASAM Level I or II |
| Severe substance use disorder | Significant dependency requiring intensive support | Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or higher level of care |
| Co-occurring mental health condition | Substance use + mental health condition identified | Dual-diagnosis counseling and treatment plan |
Your evaluator assigns your outcome based on the clinical interview, standardized psychometric tools, and your complete background. The process is objective. Honest answers during the evaluation produce the most accurate and typically most favorable outcome. Inconsistent or evasive answers create clinical flags that often result in higher-level recommendations.=
Step 4 — Complete Recommended Programs (If Required)
If your evaluation results in a treatment or program recommendation, you must complete those programs to satisfy your court order, probation requirements, or license reinstatement application.
Educational Programs
For individuals with minimal or no substance use disorder findings, an educational program may be sufficient. For DUI cases in Georgia, this is the 20-hour DUI Risk Reduction Program, also called DUI School. AACS Atlanta provides this program directly.
Outpatient Counseling ASAM Level I or II
For individuals with mild to moderate substance use disorder findings, outpatient counseling is typically recommended. AACS Atlanta offers ASAM Level I and Level II outpatient classes on-site at our Marietta and Decatur locations. You do not need to find a separate provider.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
For individuals with more significant findings, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides structured, intensive counseling while allowing you to continue living at home and managing daily responsibilities. AACS Atlanta’s IOP is available at our Georgia locations.
Dual-Diagnosis Counseling
If the evaluation identifies a co-occurring mental health condition alongside substance use, dual-diagnosis counseling addresses both conditions simultaneously. Treating substance use without addressing the underlying mental health condition produces incomplete results.
AACS Atlanta provides all of these services on-site. From evaluation through completion of every recommended program, you work with one provider — not multiple.
Step 5 — Meet Your Court, Probation, or License Requirements
For Court-Ordered Evaluations
Once you complete your evaluation and any recommended programs, you submit proof of completion to the court. Your attorney presents this documentation at your hearing. Courts respond positively to defendants who complete their evaluation and follow through with recommendations — it demonstrates accountability and can lead to more favorable outcomes.
For Probation Requirements
Your probation officer receives your evaluation report and monitors your compliance with the recommended programs. Meeting your probation requirements on time, including evaluation completion, program attendance, and any drug testing, protects you from probation violations and their consequences.
For Georgia Driver’s License Reinstatement
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires a completed DUI clinical evaluation, not a standard alcohol and drug evaluation, for license reinstatement after a DUI charge. After completing the evaluation and the required Risk Reduction Program, you apply for reinstatement through the Georgia DDS. AACS Atlanta’s DUI clinical evaluation reports meet DDS documentation standards.
For DFCS Cases
After a DFCS-ordered evaluation, the written report is submitted to your caseworker. If counseling is recommended, completing that counseling on schedule and providing proof of attendance is critical to your case. AACS Atlanta coordinates directly with DFCS caseworkers where needed.
What If the Evaluation Finds No Disorder?
If your evaluation determines that your substance use does not meet criteria for a diagnosable disorder, the written report documents that finding clearly. You submit the report to your court, probation officer, or other designated recipient, and no treatment program is required.
This outcome is not uncommon, particularly for first-time charges with no significant substance use history. The evaluation exists to make an objective clinical determination, not to assume a problem exists. An honest, thorough evaluation from a qualified provider produces the most accurate result.
Timeline: What to Expect After Your Evaluation at AACS Atlanta
- Day of evaluation: Written clinical report prepared on the same day when all documentation is complete
- Day 1–3: Report submitted to designated recipient (court, probation, DFCS, DDS, employer)
- Week 1–2: Begin any recommended programs (DUI school, ASAM classes, outpatient counseling)
- Ongoing: Attend scheduled sessions and maintain compliance with court or probation requirements
- Completion: Submit proof of program completion to the court, probation officer, or DDS
- Final step: Apply for license reinstatement (DUI cases) or satisfy remaining legal requirements
AACS Atlanta keeps this process as streamlined as possible. All services, evaluation, DUI school, ASAM classes, and IOP are available on-site. You manage one relationship, not five.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after the evaluation do I receive my report?
At AACS Atlanta, same-day reports are available when all documentation is complete at the time of your appointment. For most clients, this means you leave your appointment with your written report in hand — or it is submitted to your designated recipient the same day.
Who receives my evaluation report?
Only the parties you designate receive your report. Typical recipients include your court, probation officer, attorney, DFCS caseworker, Georgia DDS, or employer. The report is not automatically sent to law enforcement or any government agency without your authorization.
What if I disagree with the evaluation outcome?
If you believe your evaluation outcome does not accurately reflect your situation, discuss this with your evaluator directly before the report is finalized. If you have concerns after receiving the report, consult your attorney. A qualified defense attorney can advise you on your options if you believe the evaluation was conducted improperly.
Do I have to complete the recommended programs?
If your evaluation is court-ordered, yes — you are required to complete whatever programs the report recommends. Failure to complete recommended programs is typically treated as non-compliance with your court order or probation requirements and carries serious consequences. AACS Atlanta makes program completion as straightforward as possible by providing all services on-site.
What happens if I miss a counseling session?
Missing a session without proper notice can affect your compliance record. Contact your counselor or program coordinator as soon as possible if you cannot attend a scheduled session. Consistent attendance and communication with your provider protect your standing with the court and probation.
Can AACS Atlanta coordinate with my attorney or probation officer?
Yes. AACS Atlanta communicates directly with courts, probation officers, DFCS caseworkers, and attorneys when required. We ensure your evaluation and program completion documentation is submitted correctly and on time.
What is the difference between an alcohol and drug evaluation and a DUI clinical evaluation?
A standard alcohol and drug evaluation is accepted by probation officers and courts for non-DUI charges. A DUI clinical evaluation is specifically required by the Georgia Department of Driver Services for license reinstatement after a DUI charge. If you have a DUI charge, you need the DUI clinical evaluation not just the standard assessment. AACS Atlanta provides both.
Schedule Your Evaluation at AACS Atlanta Today
AACS Atlanta provides alcohol and drug evaluations and all recommended follow-up services across Georgia. Same-day appointments are available at our Marietta and Decatur locations. Telehealth evaluations are offered statewide. Bilingual services available in English and Spanish.
Starting at $165 | Same-Day Report | English & Spanish | 25+ Years in Georgia
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