Intake and Assessment for Alcohol and Drug Problems in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Intake and assessment is the first step in getting professional help for alcohol or drug problems in Grand Rapids, MI. This process is designed to understand your situation, identify your treatment needs, and connect you with the most appropriate substance use treatment services in the Grand Rapids area.

In West Michigan, including Grand Rapids and Kent County, intake and assessment services help adults and youth access:

  • Outpatient (non-residential) alcohol and drug treatment
  • Residential rehab and detox programs
  • Mental health and addiction (co-occurring) services
  • Community and recovery support programs

These services are provided through major healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as community treatment centers and private practices.

How Intake and Assessment Works in Grand Rapids

What Is an Intake and Assessment?

An intake and assessment is a structured conversation and screening process with an alcohol and drug professional. The goal is to:

  • Understand your alcohol or drug use
  • Identify physical and mental health concerns
  • Learn about your living situation, work, family, and stressors
  • Determine the level of care and type of treatment that will help you most

This process results in an initial treatment plan tailored to your needs and preferences.

Ways to Access Intake and Assessment in Grand Rapids

You can start the intake and assessment process in several ways:

  • Through your primary care doctor
    • Many local providers (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and independent clinics) can refer you directly to substance use treatment.
  • By contacting local substance use treatment centers directly
    • Many Grand Rapids addiction treatment programs accept self-referrals.
  • Through local public health resources
    • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can provide information on nearby alcohol and drug services.
  • State and national helplines
    • Michigan statewide resources and national helplines can connect you to local Grand Rapids providers.

Intake, screening, and assessment can happen:

  • In person (at a clinic, hospital, or community agency)
  • Over the phone
  • Via secure telehealth / video visits
  • Through outreach services (for example, if mobility, housing, or transportation is a barrier)

What to Expect During an Alcohol and Drug Assessment

Comprehensive Screening and Questions

During intake and assessment, a trained professional will ask you about:

  • Your alcohol and drug use (what you use, how often, how much)
  • Any withdrawal symptoms you’ve experienced
  • Your physical health (chronic conditions, medications, pain)
  • Your mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma, mood changes)
  • Your home environment and support system
  • Work, school, or legal issues
  • Past treatment experiences and what has or hasn’t helped

This information helps determine how serious the problem is and what level of care you need.

Developing Your Treatment Plan

Based on your assessment, the provider will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include:

  • Goals for reducing or stopping substance use
  • Recommended level of care (outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, or detox)
  • Referrals to mental health services if needed
  • Supportive services such as case management, housing support, or peer recovery coaching

With your consent, this treatment plan can be shared with other providers involved in your care, so you don���t have to keep repeating your story to every new person.

Types of Services You May Be Referred To in Grand Rapids

Depending on your needs, your intake and assessment team may recommend one or more of the following services available in the Grand Rapids area:

Outpatient / Non-Residential Treatment

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
  • Family and couples counseling related to substance use
  • Relapse prevention programs

These services are commonly offered through:

  • Corewell Health addiction services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids behavioral health
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health behavioral medicine
  • Community mental health and substance use providers

Withdrawal Management (Detox)

If you are at risk for withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, or other substances, you may be referred to:

  • Medically supervised detox units at local hospitals
  • Short-term stabilization programs

This is especially important during cold Michigan winters, when withdrawal combined with exposure, poor nutrition, or unstable housing can be particularly dangerous.

Residential Rehabilitation

For people with more severe or long-standing substance use disorders, or those who need a structured environment away from triggers, the plan may include:

  • Short-term residential treatment
  • Longer-term residential rehabilitation
  • Programs that integrate mental health, medical care, and life-skills support

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

If opioids or alcohol are involved, the intake and assessment team may recommend pharmacotherapy, such as:

  • Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone for opioid use disorder
  • Naltrexone or acamprosate for alcohol use disorder

Many Grand Rapids clinics and hospital systems offer MAT as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.

Youth and Young Adult Services

For teens and young adults in Grand Rapids, specialized programs may include:

  • Youth-focused counseling and group programs
  • School-based or college-based support services
  • Family-based treatment approaches

Culturally Specific and Community-Based Services

Depending on your background and preferences, you may be connected with:

  • Faith-based programs
  • Culturally responsive or language-specific services
  • Peer recovery organizations and support groups

Self-Managed Options for Mild Substance Use Problems

If your intake and assessment shows milder use or lower risk, you might be offered self-managed treatment options, such as:

  • Brief counseling or motivational interviewing
  • Educational resources about alcohol and drug use
  • Digital tools and apps to track use and support change
  • Regular check-ins with a counselor or primary care provider

These approaches can be especially helpful for people who want to cut back, are in early stages of change, or are concerned about drinking or drug use but not yet severely dependent.

Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Substance use problems often occur alongside other health issues, especially mental health conditions such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD or trauma-related conditions
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Sleep disorders

The intake and assessment team in Grand Rapids will screen for these concerns and, when needed, refer you to:

  • Integrated mental health and substance use treatment
  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
  • Trauma-informed therapy

This coordinated care is crucial to long-term recovery, especially in West Michigan where seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and mood changes can be more common due to shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter.

Local Context: Why Intake and Assessment Matters in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids and West Michigan can bring specific stressors and risk factors for alcohol and drug use:

  • Long, cold winters and limited daylight can affect mood and increase isolation.
  • Economic changes in manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries can create financial and job stress.
  • The opioid crisis has impacted communities across Kent County.
  • Easy access to alcohol and social drinking culture can make it harder to recognize when use becomes a problem.

A thorough intake and assessment helps ensure that:

  • Your treatment plan fits your life in Grand Rapids (work schedule, transportation, family needs, housing).
  • Seasonal and environmental factors are considered (e.g., planning extra supports during winter months).
  • You are connected with local resources like Kent County Health Department programs, community support groups, and hospital-based services.

Coordinated Care: Not Getting “Lost in the System”

One of the most important roles of the intake and assessment service is to coordinate your care over time.

  • When you are referred to a treatment provider, that provider can (with your permission) share updates with the intake and assessment team.
  • If you are later referred to another service (for example, from outpatient counseling to residential rehab, or from detox to long-term therapy), those changes can be added to your treatment plan.
  • This creates a continuous record of your treatment journey, helping you avoid gaps in care or feeling like you have to start over each time.

This coordination is especially helpful if you receive care from multiple Grand Rapids health systems (for example, a primary care provider at Metro Health, a therapist in private practice, and a detox stay at Corewell Health).

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or drug use in Grand Rapids, you can start by:

  • Your primary care doctor or family physician
    • Ask for an alcohol and drug assessment or referral to a local substance use treatment program.
  • Hospital and health system resources
    • Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health all have behavioral health or addiction service lines that can guide you to intake and assessment.
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Offers information and referrals for substance use treatment and public health programs.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • Can connect you with local counseling, harm reduction, and support services.
  • State and national helplines
    • Michigan and national addiction helplines can provide 24/7 guidance and connect you to Grand Rapids-based services.

If you are in immediate danger, having severe withdrawal symptoms, or thinking about harming yourself, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.

Key Points About Intake and Assessment in Grand Rapids

  • Your treatment plan travels with you, with your consent, so you don’t have to keep retelling your story.
  • The intake and assessment team will identify complex needs, including mental health, medical issues, and social challenges, and adjust your plan accordingly.
  • Coordinated communication between providers helps ensure your entire treatment journey is documented, so you do not get lost in the system.
  • Local Grand Rapids resources—including major hospital systems, public health agencies, and community programs—work together to provide a continuum of care for alcohol and drug problems.

Getting started with an intake and assessment is a confidential, practical first step toward understanding your options and building a safer, healthier future in Grand Rapids, Michigan.