Documentation Guidlines

Rehabilitated Drug Addiction

Professionals who are qualified to diagnose, treat and provide documentation for individuals who have been rehabilitated for drug addiction include physicians with a specialty in addiction, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed mental health professionals, or State Health Department certified addiction counselors who are supervised by psychologists or psychiatrists. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following guidelines are provided to assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student's request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation includes:

  1. A clear statement of successful completion of supervised drug rehabilitation program with the DSM-IV diagnosis.  A dated statement attesting to the compliance with appropriate post-rehabilitation treatment (the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student and the student's request for accommodations);
  2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis;
  3. A summary of qualitative and quantitative information which supports the diagnosis;
  4. Medical information related to the student's needs to include the  impact of medication on the student's ability to meet the demands of the postsecondary environment;
  5. A statement of the current functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other dJanuary 18, 2007the Disability Specialist at the University of Northern Colorado collaboratively determine appropriate accommodations.

The University of Northern Colorado prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, and other controlled substances by all members of the University community (students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests.)  Individuals who violate this policy shall be subject to discipline, termination, dismissal, debarment, arrest, or citation as applicable.  Additionally, employees or students who violate this policy may be required to participate satisfactorily in drug abuse education, counseling, or rehabilitation programs approved by the University.

Disability Support Services maintains disability files and diagnostic testing information for seven years after the student either graduates, transfers, or leaves the university.  After that time, the confidential files are destroyed.  If a student does not attend the University of Northern Colorado but has submitted documentation, the files will be destroyed after two years.  Consequently,  the student should maintain his/her own copy of the diagnostic information.