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6 results

  • 22 - Drug use in Australia: A public health approach

  • from Part 4 - Public health issues and special populations
  • Edited by Pranee Liamputtong
  • Book:
    Public Health
    Published online:
    25 July 2022
    Print publication:
    10 August 2022, pp 399-423

  • Summary

    In this chapter, we discuss drug use in Australia. We take a public health approach to the problems created by the use of drugs. Public health approaches to substance use focus on reducing harmful consequences of substance use, irrespective of the type of substance being used (Csete et al., 2016). Reducing population-level harms related to substance use can be achieved by reducing the numbers of people who use drugs, but also by reducing harmful patterns of use among those who choose to use. These two goals can be compatible. Public health responses to drug use acknowledge that some people will continue to use drugs regardless of legal or social sanctions. Consequently, policies aimed at reducing drug-related harm are central to a public health framework. Some public health policies (for example, appropriate taxation) work by reducing both the numbers of users and the harmful patterns of use (Anderson, Chisholm & Fuhr, 2009).

  • 12 - Mental health and substance use

  • Edited by Nicholas Procter, University of South Australia, Rhonda L. Wilson, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Helen P. Hamer, Denise McGarry, University of Tasmania, Mark Loughhead, University of South Australia
  • Book:
    Mental Health
    Published online:
    07 April 2022
    Print publication:
    07 April 2022, pp 247-280

  • Summary

    This chapter introduces the intersections between mental health care and drug and alcohol care. It addresses the implications for holistic health care needs related to dual drug and alcohol use, and concurrent mental health conditions. It tells the contemporary, real-life story of a person who developed an episode of psychosis following consumption of premixed alcohol and caffeine drinks. The chapter also describes change models applied to substance use and recovery, such as motivational interviewing and stages of change readiness. Both common and less common drugs and their misuse affect the physical, social, cognitive and mental health dimensions of people with mental health conditions. Reflective exercises guide readers to consider how they will be able to promote mental health and well-being and minimise drug-related harm to individuals and communities in a practice context.

  • 12 - Mental health and substance use

    • By
  • Edited by Nicholas Procter, University of South Australia, Rhonda L. Wilson, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Helen P. Hamer, Denise McGarry, University of Tasmania, Mark Loughhead, University of South Australia
  • Book:
    Mental Health
    Published online:
    07 April 2022
    Print publication:
    07 April 2022, pp 247-280

  • Summary

    This chapter introduces the intersections between mental health care and drug and alcohol care. It addresses the implications for holistic health care needs related to dual drug and alcohol use, and concurrent mental health conditions. It tells the contemporary, real-life story of a person who developed an episode of psychosis following consumption of premixed alcohol and caffeine drinks. The chapter also describes change models applied to substance use and recovery, such as motivational interviewing and stages of change readiness. Both common and less common drugs and their misuse affect the physical, social, cognitive and mental health dimensions of people with mental health conditions. Reflective exercises guide readers to consider how they will be able to promote mental health and well-being and minimise drug-related harm to individuals and communities in a practice context.

  • Harm minimisation for the management of self-harm: a mixed-methods analysis of electronic health records in secondary mental healthcare

  • Charlotte Cliffe, Alexandra Pitman, Rosemary Sedgwick, Megan Pritchard, Rina Dutta, Sarah Rowe
  • Journal:
    BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue 4 / July 2021
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    25 June 2021, e116
    • Article
      • You have access
      • Open access
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  • Background

    Prevalence of self-harm in the UK was reported as 6.4% in 2014. Despite sparse evidence for effectiveness, guidelines recommend harm minimisation; a strategy in which people who self-harm are supported to do so safely.

    Aims

    To determine the prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of those who self-harm and practise harm minimisation within a London mental health trust.

    Method

    We included electronic health records for patients treated by South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. Using an iterative search strategy, we identified patients who practise harm minimisation, then classified the approaches using a content analysis. We compared the sociodemographic characteristics with that of a control group of patients who self-harm and do not use harm minimisation.

    Results

    In total 22 736 patients reported self-harm, of these 693 (3%) had records reporting the use of harm-minimisation techniques. We coded the approaches into categories: (a) ‘substitution’ (>50% of those using harm minimisation), such as using rubber bands or using ice; (b) ‘simulation’ (9%) such as using red pens; (c) ‘defer or avoid’ (7%) such as an alternative self-injury location; (d) ‘damage limitation’ (9%) such as using antiseptic techniques; the remainder were unclassifiable (24%). The majority of people using harm minimisation described it as helpful (>90%). Those practising harm minimisation were younger, female, of White ethnicity, had previous admissions and were less likely to have self-harmed with suicidal intent.

    Conclusions

    A small minority of patients who self-harm report using harm minimisation, primarily substitution techniques, and the large majority find harm minimisation helpful. More research is required to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of harm-minimisation techniques and update national clinical guidelines.

  • 21 - Drug and alcohol nursing

  • from Part III - Community and primary health care roles
  • Edited by Diana Guzys, University of Tasmania, Rhonda Brown, Deakin University, Victoria, Elizabeth Halcomb, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Dean Whitehead, University of Tasmania
  • Book:
    An Introduction to Community and Primary Health Care
    Published online:
    15 December 2020
    Print publication:
    30 November 2020, pp 339-352

  • Summary

    Substance use has always been a feature of societies with the use of alcohol and plants with psychoactive properties for medicinal, recreational, religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes. While the use of substances is common, and some substances such as those used as medicines can be helpful, the misuse of medicines, alcohol and other drugs can cause physical, psychological, social, family and community harm. Working in the area of substance use and the treatment of substance use disorders can be confronting. For health practitioners, there are often competing moral and ethical dilemmas. An understanding of the impact of substance use and awareness of one’s own attitudes towards substance use is important if nurses are to be effective in assessing the impact of substance use and ensuring that individuals and families have access to appropriate and timely care. This chapter focuses on this specialised area of drug and alcohol nursing practice including supporting people using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

  • 21 - Drug and alcohol nursing

  • from Part 3 - Community and primary health care roles
  • Edited by Diana Guzys, University of Tasmania, Rhonda Brown, Deakin University, Victoria, Elizabeth Halcomb, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Dean Whitehead, University of Tasmania
  • Book:
    An Introduction to Community and Primary Health Care
    Published online:
    15 December 2020
    Print publication:
    30 November 2020, pp 339-352

  • Summary

    Substance use has always been a feature of societies with the use of alcohol and plants with psychoactive properties for medicinal, recreational, religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes. While the use of substances is common, and some substances such as those used as medicines can be helpful, the misuse of medicines, alcohol and other drugs can cause physical, psychological, social, family and community harm. Working in the area of substance use and the treatment of substance use disorders can be confronting. For health practitioners, there are often competing moral and ethical dilemmas. An understanding of the impact of substance use and awareness of one’s own attitudes towards substance use is important if nurses are to be effective in assessing the impact of substance use and ensuring that individuals and families have access to appropriate and timely care. This chapter focuses on this specialised area of drug and alcohol nursing practice including supporting people using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.