Professional Technical IVT

ASAM criteria

Also written as: ASAM — American Society of Addiction Medicine

Standardized assessment tool for determining appropriate level of addiction treatment care.

Full Definition

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria is a comprehensive set of guidelines used to assess patients and match them to appropriate levels of addiction treatment. The criteria evaluate six dimensions: acute intoxication/withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions, emotional/behavioral conditions, readiness to change, relapse potential, and recovery environment. Based on these assessments, patients are placed in one of several levels of care ranging from early intervention to medically managed intensive inpatient treatment.

Usage

Usage note: Always capitalize 'ASAM' and use 'criteria' (plural) not 'criterion' when referring to the complete assessment tool.

In Context

"The intake coordinator used ASAM criteria to recommend intensive outpatient treatment for the patient." — treatment placement document
"Insurance companies increasingly require ASAM criteria documentation for treatment authorization." — billing guideline

Also known as

ASAM placement criteria patient placement criteria

Don't confuse with

DSM criteria assessment criteria

anhedonia ← Back to glossary ASAM levels of care