Wyoming Court-Ordered Substance Use Evaluations: A Guide for Clients

What is a court-ordered or court-referred substance use evaluation?

A substance use evaluation is a clinical assessment used to examine a person's alcohol and other drug history, current circumstances, relevant functioning, and possible need for education, treatment, referral, monitoring, recovery support, or other services.

In Wyoming-related legal matters, an evaluation may be formally ordered by a court or requested in connection with an attorney referral, probation or parole, an impaired-driving matter, a possession or open-container matter, or another case in which a substance use evaluation has actually been requested. The fact that an evaluation may be requested in these settings does not mean every case or charge carries the same assessment requirement.

The wording of the actual order, referral, or request matters. If you are uncertain about what you are required to obtain, confirm the requirement with the court, your attorney, probation/parole officer, or the referring agency.

For information specifically related to impaired-driving cases, see Wyoming DUI/DWUI Substance Use Evaluations: What to Expect.

OpenGate's Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Evaluation

OpenGate's formal evaluation service is the Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Evaluation.

OpenGate's comprehensive evaluation includes:

• the full Addiction Severity Index (ASI) as one component of the evaluation;
• a comprehensive biopsychosocial and spiritual assessment;
• The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition;
• applicable DSM diagnostic criteria;
• relevant records and authorized collateral information when available and appropriate;
• assessment of case-management and referral needs;
• diagnosis when applicable; and
• individualized clinical recommendations.

Additional standardized, evidence-based screening or assessment instruments may be used when clinically indicated.

The ASI is one component of OpenGate's Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Evaluation; it is not the entire evaluation and is not offered by OpenGate as a separate evaluation service. OpenGate does not represent the ASI as a universal Wyoming requirement.

Current WDH rules require an evidence-based adult assessment tool that includes comprehensive information about biopsychosocial and spiritual needs. The assessment process must also use ASAM criteria. WDH's March 2026 certification handbook lists the ASI as one example of a clinical assessment instrument; it does not identify the ASI as the only permissible instrument.

What Wyoming Department of Health certification means

WDH certification means a provider has met the applicable state certification requirements for the services for which it is certified. OpenGate has maintained Wyoming Department of Health certification and provided substance use disorder services in Wyoming since 2013. Courts and other receiving authorities may also have case-specific instructions, documentation requirements, deadlines, or procedures.

Choosing a Qualified Provider

OpenGate's Wyoming Department of Health certification is current and active. Clients may choose OpenGate or another qualified provider, subject to any specific requirements in the court order, referral, probation/parole instructions, or other applicable directions.

What to provide before the evaluation

When available, provide OpenGate with the actual document or information that explains why the evaluation has been requested.

Helpful information may include:

• the court order, referral, or written request;
• the name of the court, agency, attorney, probation/parole office, or other referral source;
• any known deadline;
• relevant charging, sentencing, probation/parole, or case documents;
• prior substance use evaluation or treatment records when relevant;
• impaired-driving records when applicable; and
• other records that may be clinically relevant to the evaluation.

An attorney may also provide relevant records when appropriate. OpenGate can provide instructions for securely submitting records.

For more information, see Records and Authorized Coordination.

What happens during the evaluation?

The evaluation is designed to develop an individualized clinical picture rather than simply complete a form or reach a predetermined result.

Depending on the circumstances, the process may include discussion of alcohol and other drug use, medical and behavioral-health history, family and social functioning, employment, legal history, prior education or treatment, recovery supports, current risks and needs, and other information relevant to the assessment.

Relevant records and authorized collateral information may also be considered. Information from different sources is evaluated together rather than relying on any single test, document, or statement.

The resulting clinical formulation may include a diagnosis when applicable and individualized recommendations based on the information available at the time of the evaluation.

Clinical recommendations are individualized

A court referral does not change the clinician's responsibility to make an individualized clinical assessment.

A diagnosis, level-of-care determination, or recommendation is not selected to produce a preferred result for the client, attorney, court, probation/parole office, or another referral source.

Recommendations are based on the clinical information obtained through the evaluation, applicable diagnostic criteria, ASAM criteria, relevant records and authorized collateral information, and the individual circumstances of the person being evaluated.

Depending on the findings, recommendations may differ substantially from one person to another.

Privacy and authorized coordination

OpenGate protects confidential client information under applicable Wyoming and Colorado law, Wyoming Department of Health requirements, professional duties, and any federal requirements that apply to a particular record or circumstance. Records received from a program subject to 42 CFR Part 2 may carry additional federal restrictions on use or disclosure. When appropriately authorized or otherwise permitted or required by law, OpenGate may provide relevant information to an authorized recipient.

When information needs to be coordinated with an attorney, court, probation/parole office, treatment provider, or another person or organization, OpenGate follows applicable authorization and confidentiality requirements.

See Records and Authorized Coordination for additional information about records and authorized communication.

How the Evaluation Is Used

OpenGate provides clinical findings, recommendations, and applicable documentation. The court, probation/parole authority, WYDOT, or other receiving authority determines how that information is used and any case-specific requirements.

Information for attorneys and referral sources

Attorneys referring a client may provide the referral question, relevant records, known deadlines, and any specific documentation the receiving entity has requested.

OpenGate can coordinate appropriately when the client has provided the authorization necessary for the requested communication.

Attorneys may review the Wyoming Attorney Substance Use Evaluation Referral Guide and For Attorneys for additional information.