12 CORE Functions
This core function determines whether a client is appropriate and eligible for admission or referral.
What is screening
When cravings are not managed, this may occur.
What is return to use.
These symptoms—such as muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, yawning, and restlessness—may occur when a person stops or significantly reduces use of this substance.
What are opioids
This drug class slows down the central nervous system and often includes alcohol and benzodiazepines.
What are Depressants?
This evidence‑based approach helps clients identify and change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
This function involves completing required paperwork and obtaining signed consents to begin services.
What is intake
These often follow drug‑related thoughts and increase relapse risk.
What are cravings
These symptoms—such as tremors, sweating, anxiety, and nausea—may occur when a person suddenly stops or significantly reduces use. of this substance.
What is alcohol.
This drug class increases alertness, energy, and heart rate, often leading to decreased appetite.
What are Stimulants?
This approach is recommended at multiple points of intervention (pre‑pregnancy, prenatal, birth, postnatal) to improve outcomes for pregnant/parenting people who use opioids.
What is MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder)?
This function explains program rules, expectations, client rights, and hours of operation.
What is orientation
This tool is used to prepare responses to high‑risk situations.
What is a relapse prevention plan or recovery plan
This withdrawal syndrome includes prolonged mood, sleep, and concentration issues after acute withdrawal ends.
What is Post‑Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
This class of drugs alters perception, mood, and thought processes, often causing hallucinations.
What are Psychedelics?
This approach aims to evoke “change talk” by shifting the provider stance from expert-driven persuasion to collaborative guiding.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
This function identifies a client’s strengths, weaknesses, and needs to support treatment planning.
What is assessment
This Dimension 1 trigger increases relapse risk when symptoms are untreated or unmanaged.
What is unmanaged withdrawal?
This serious withdrawal symptom includes confusion, agitation, and hallucinations, and are associated with alcohol intoxication.
What is delirium tremens?
This drug class includes substances derived from or acting on opioid receptors to relieve pain and produce euphoria.
What are Narcotics / Opioids?
The model’s core outcome target is “safety” defined behaviorally across substance use, relationships, emotions, and self-care—not trauma narrative work.
What is Seeking Safety
This function focuses on identifying needs the agency cannot meet and connecting clients to outside resources.
What is referral
This relapse prevention tool targets both internal and external triggers simultaneously. It also includes short term benefits vs. long term consequences.
What is a functional analysis
These symptoms—such as irritability, impaired concentration, increased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood, and intense cravings—can emerge within hours to days after decreasing or discontinuing use of this substance.
What is nicotine.
This class of drugs is primarily associated with feeling disconected, floaty, euphoria, or numb, and include substances like nitrous oxide and ketamine.
What are dissociatives?
This evidence‑based approach focuses on increasing psychological flexibility in response to triggers.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?