Local Substance Abuse Authorities (LSAA)

The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health ensures that substance abuse treatment services are available throughout the state. The Division contracts with local county governments (Local Substance Abuse Authorities, or LSAAs) to provide these services and monitors these authorities through site visits, a year-end review process, and a peer review process.

What Treatment Services are Available?

All LSAAs are required to provide, or arrange to provide, the following continuum of services:

Outpatient treatment: Designed for individuals who have substance abuse problems but do not suffer from medical or mental health issues, are ready to change, and have a stable living environment. Individuals attend once-a-week individual and/or group therapy for several weeks. Sessions address attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyle issues around substance use. Individuals also receive case management services to provide links to ancillary services.

Intensive Outpatient treatment: Designed for individuals who have substance abuse problems and other complicating factors (e.g., medical or mental health problems), but would do better in their own living environment. Individuals participate in about 9 hours of therapy weekly and receive individual/group therapy, case management services, medication management, family therapy, recreational therapy, and psychiatric support as needed.

Day treatment: Provides more intensive services more frequently (about 20 hours per week), but still on an outpatient basis. Services are offered in a 4-hour time block each day and allow individuals to attend school or work and live at home. Individuals receive services similar to those provided in Intensive Outpatient treatment.

Detoxification: The first step for individuals with a severe, physical addiction. The 3 –7 day process halts substance use and stabilizes the individual medically.

Residential/Inpatient treatment: After detoxification, individuals enter 24-hour live-in facilities that are staffed full-time with addiction treatment and mental health personnel. Individuals receive on-going medical and psychiatric support with therapy and case management services. Patients move to outpatient treatment as soon as possible.

Methadone treatment: Methadone treatment can help opiate users reduce or stop use and return to productive lives. Methadone is a tested medication that is safe and works well for the treatment of withdrawal from heroin and other similar drugs. Methadone has been used for treatment for over 30 years. Taken once a day, methadone's affects can last 24 to 36 hours. Methadone reduces the cravings of opiates and blocks the "high." Counseling is also an important part of methadone treatment.

* Rural areas often do not have residential treatment facilities (the only rural residential facility is in St. George). These are typically only available in urban areas. However, if residential treatment is required, the rural LSAA can make the appropriate arrangements.

What are the Costs of Services?

Services are provided on a fee-for-service basis using a “sliding fee scale.” The fee charged for services is based on the individual’s ability to pay. This ensures that a person’s ability to pay will not be a barrier to treatment. Substance abuse treatment services are not free, but can be extremely low-cost for clients with very limited resources.

What are the Intake and Referral Procedures?

Call the LSAA to make an appointment for a screening/assessment.
Any individual (family member, employer, other concerned party) can call the LSAA to make the appointment.
The LSAA screens, then assesses the individual to determine the appropriate treatment level.
A treatment plan is developed for the individual.

How are Clients Assessed?

Clients are assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI)—the state mandated assessment instrument. The ASI assesses clients in seven areas:

General information
Alcohol and other drug use—history and current use
Employment, education, and financial status
Family/social information
Legal history and status
Medical information
Psychiatric and emotional well-being information

The ASI covers the seven areas because each has an impact on a person’s substance use and recovery. Based on the results of this assessment, a client is matched with the appropriate treatment level.

Is There Intervention For DUI Offenders?

A first-time DUI offender is court ordered to undergo a substance abuse screening/assessment (ASI). Based on the assessment results, the individual is court ordered into treatment, DUI education, or both. Utah has implemented the Prime for Life education program for convicted DUI offenders. The primary goal of this 16-hour program is to raise the level of understanding of an individual’s risk for developing addiction and/or problems related to substance abuse and to reduce that risk.