Post by katiearmstrong on Jul 27, 2015 11:52:27 GMT
The dual diagnosis study day was useful, because for me it shone a light on the limited assessments we currently do regarding drug affected clients. We hear in handover or perhaps are told on admission that an individual is drug affected, but this is the extent of it. On occasion it it bought up in 1:1 time if the client chooses to discuss it, but this is more surrounding their wishes to cease use, or their lack of insight regarding the effect that their drug use has on their psychiatric disorder.
The dual diagnosis study day pointed out the significance of discussing substance use with our clients and that it is more than the doctors or AOD clinicians responsibility to assess and refer clients to services.
This will impact my future practice in that I will try to have more open conversations with my clients about dual diagnosis and their drug use and ask the questions when admitting clients, so that we can better gauge where we can help them, and at what stage of the recovery cycle they are likely at, so that we as nurses can assist them wherever they are in their recovery. Whether we simply provide them with education for safe drug use, or whether they are genuinely wanting to cease their drug use and we can refer them to the appropriate services.
The dual diagnosis study day pointed out the significance of discussing substance use with our clients and that it is more than the doctors or AOD clinicians responsibility to assess and refer clients to services.
This will impact my future practice in that I will try to have more open conversations with my clients about dual diagnosis and their drug use and ask the questions when admitting clients, so that we can better gauge where we can help them, and at what stage of the recovery cycle they are likely at, so that we as nurses can assist them wherever they are in their recovery. Whether we simply provide them with education for safe drug use, or whether they are genuinely wanting to cease their drug use and we can refer them to the appropriate services.