Researchers such as Jackson, Alford, Dube and Saitz assert that despite the widespread substance abuse problems in our nation, there is a considerable lack of training for primary healthcare providers in this area. Both psychotherapeutic (such as cognitive and behavioral strategies) and pharmacological (such as Buprenorphine, Methadone, LAAM and Naltrexone) interventions have shown to be successful at treating substance abuse. However, if the medical professionals making contact with these individuals are not properly trained to deal with these issues, nobody benefits.
As a primary care nurse, it is also important to know the best treatment centers for referral in the community. While most communities have Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve step programs readily available, knowing where to refer a client for in-patient treatment is critical as well. Some in-patient treatment facilities can be very difficult for substance abusers to get into on their own, but a referral from a medical professional can help them get accepted more quickly.
Once again, your attitude toward substance abuse will play a significant role in how likely you are to make these types of referrals. In addition, the NIDA study (mentioned above) reports that having a manual or a written set of guidelines that explains exactly what nurses should do to recognize and inquire about...
To be competent in caring for these clients means being confident that you have the training, knowledge and skills necessary to identify, confront and handle the situation properly. It also requires having a positive attitude toward the ability of both counseling and pharmacological therapy to provide successful treatment for these clients. Nurses who have been properly trained and have optimistic attitudes toward rehabilitative intervention methods are significantly more likely to be a part of the helping process. Therefore it is up to you, the nurse, to make a concerted effort to advance your knowledge and understanding of substance abuse in order to provide the highest quality of nursing care possible.
References
Jackson AH, Alford DP, Dube CE, Saitz R. Internal medicine residency training for unhealthy alcohol and other drug use: recommendations for curriculum. BMC Med Educ. 2010 Mar 20;10(1):22.
Rieckmann TR, Fuller BE, Saedi GA, McCarty D. Adoption of practice guidelines and assessment tools in substance abuse treatment. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2010 Mar 26;5(1):4
