The six areas an assessor looks at
The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, assess adults in six dimensions:
- Intoxication, withdrawal, and addiction medications
- Biomedical conditions
- Psychiatric and cognitive conditions
- Substance use-related risks
- Recovery environment interactions
- Person-centered considerations, such as barriers to care and your preferences
You do not have to "fail" outpatient first
The ASAM Criteria say admission should be based on patient needs rather than arbitrary prerequisites, and give prior treatment failure as an example of one. If an assessment shows you need PHP, you can start there.
When a different level fits better
The ASAM continuum also includes residential care (Level 3) and medically managed inpatient care (Level 4), and its medically managed levels focus more on withdrawal management. If your assessment points to one of those, that is the right place to start. Chesterfield County’s substance use services advise against detoxing at home or stopping use suddenly without professional medical supervision.
Sources
- ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 1: Adults (overview), American Society of Addiction Medicine
- Adult Substance Use Services, Chesterfield County
Sources checked November 2, 2026. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Your clinician, your health plan, and (for VASAP) your court order and ASAP case manager set what applies to you.