Medical Assessment

Treatment for someone with an addiction can be a long, involved process, in which many barriers to well-being need to be carefully dismantled. That’s why all of the treatment programmes offered by One Step Clinic begin with a thorough medical assessment from Dr. Hugh Gallagher, a GP specialising in the area of addiction treatment for 15 years.

The purpose of our initial assessment is to establish the extent of the addiction and any co-occurring conditions, to help develop an effective treatment plan. The assessment will include a range of physical examinations, questionnaires and self-assessments, including details of your medical history, mental status and when necessary lab tests. All information obtained during the assessment is kept confidential and used solely to help with your treatment.

Treatment Plan

Every client is given a treatment plan tailored to their personal needs. Recovery from addiction can be a lifelong process, so our treatment plans ensure that every necessary detail is in place to ensure our clients can progress towards recovery over the long term.

Assessing for Co-occurring disorders

Addiction can cause or become apparent alongside other physical or mental health problems and if these are left untreated, addiction recovery can be compromised. Diagnosing and treating co-occurring disorders is, therefore, a vital part of our treatment service.

This diagnosis is carried out in the same way that the addiction is diagnosed, through feedback, tests, analysis of medical history and observation of symptoms. Here are a few examples of co-occurring disorders and their associated symptoms:

Depression: Often accompanied by fatigue, energy loss, loss of concentration or appetite, low mood or suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety: include excessive worry, poor concentration, restlessness, tension in the muscles, and disturbed sleep.

Post-traumatic stress: Symptoms include mentally re-experiencing the trauma, hyperarousal, dissociation, cognitive and behavioural avoidance, and emotional numbing.

Psychosis: Symptoms often include hallucinations, disorganised speech or catatonia.

Liver disease: Often diagnosed through symptoms such as jaundice, mental confusion, excessive bruising, fatigue, abdominal pain and general weakness.

Kidney disease: disease: Can be indicated by fatigue, breathing difficulties, weakness, high levels of potassium, anaemia and uremia.

All information that is provided by you is kept confidential and only used to assist in your treatment.

Our medical assessment is the first step in your recovery. If you are suffering from an addiction, get help today. Call us or contact us to book an assessment or to ask for a call back.