Adult Assessment & Intervention with Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a serious problem. It is also a major risk factor for complications in the treatment of illness and injury. Working in the medical setting, social workers and other health care professionals have an opportunity to not only identify substance abuse as a problem but also to make an intervention that will assist the patient in taking steps toward change.
This process outlines nine key steps you might take in dealing with client drug use issues. While you may choose not to follow each of the steps in all of your cases, it may serve as a useful check-list.
1. Raise the issue - Screen
2. Assessment
4. Negotiate a plan of action . Offer referral or assistance
5. Relapse prevention & relapse management
7. Maximise supports
8. Follow-up & review
9. Community action
There are a number of online resources that provide education on Brief Intervention, Go to DrugNet.com. for an educational web site maintained by the Australian Government.
For additional information on Brief Interventions that work with substance abuse check out TIP 34 - Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse with provides a summary of approaches that have been demonstrated to be effective. This is published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you work with a special population (like pregnant women or adolescents) check out other TIP (Treatment Improvement Protocols for substance abuse) publications.
Treatment resources are online through the Institute of Behavioral research at Texas Christian University – series of presentations, manuals forms and other items that can be used with interventions with substance abusing clients.
The NIAAA or National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has extensive online information about research, brochures, posters, handouts, etc. that can be used to develop your skill in screening or intervention.
A resources with good educational materials to use with college age drinkers is B.R.A.D. 21. This web site has information on the impact of BAL on various activities. Also has graphs that illustrate BAL by sex by weight by drink. Brad was one of those unfortunate young men who drink 21 drinks to celebrate their 21st birthday and don't survive but succumb to alcohol poisoning.
referral or assistance online resources - includes brochures and handouts as well as contact information