Signs and Symptoms of Polysubstance Abuse
Patients with opioid use disorders commonly have problems with other substances as well; in fact, polysubstance abuse is considered the norm rather than the exception (Patrick, 2003).
Among opioid addicts, cocaine and alcohol are the most frequently abused substances (Strain, 2002).
The signs and symptoms of polysubstance abuse include some of the same indicators for drug use in general.
Patients may or may not be dependent upon the various substances they are abusing, so it is important for you to assess the entire range of a patient's substance use.
Try these 4 main approaches for assessing opioid dependent patients for other substance abuse:
- Screening instruments: MAST, DAST, CAGE-AID, AUDIT
- Clinical assessments: ask patient directly, ask family members
- Structured interviews: DSM-IV SCID-I - Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders
- Laboratory tests: urine samples, preferably tested on-siteor via a lab with a quick turn-around time so that you can address results with the patient as soon as possible
Patrick, D. Dual diagnosis: substance-related and psychiatric disorders. The Nursing Clinics of North America. 2003; 38: 67-73.
Strain EC. Assessment and treatment of comorbid psychiatric disorders in opioid-dependent patients. Clin J Pain. 2002; 18(4 Suppl): S14-27.
Related Resources:
Description:
This website offers comprehensive guidelines for treating patients who have substance use disorders.
Source:
American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2006 (4 votes)
Tags:
Urine Testing in Buprenorphine Treatment
Description:
Information on the logistics of urine testing, including the timing of testing, frequency, location, and test type. Being able to accurately gauge the current drug use by patients enrolled in a substance abuse program is essential; self-reports, family member reports, observation of attitude alteration, and behav
Tags:
Urine Testing in Buprenorphine Treatment
