Good day everyone! I am a practicing OT, working in mental health & addictions, and am currently completing a Doctor of Science degree in rehabilitation and health leadership. Through conversation with colleagues, friends, and clients, I started to become concerned about the rates of alcohol use in women - and how frequently problem drinking in women goes unnoticed. My dissertation work is primarily focused on this area, but what I'm wondering is what your thoughts - as OTs - are around this issue? Do you currently screen all clients for substance use disorders? Do you feel it falls within your scope? Have you considered the impact of substance use within general practice? You don't have to answer all of those questions... but I'd love to get a dialogue going! I am very interested in your perspectives...
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Edited:Â Oct 26, 2020
Screening for alcohol use
Screening for alcohol use
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Hi, very interesting questions indeed. I currently work with service users with Substance Use Disorders ( Alcohol , Heroine , Cannabis , Methamphetamines etc ) and often times there is an under-presentation of women when it comes to treatment seeking behaviour- mostly due to stigma , lack of knowledge , screening and etc . Working in the field of SUD as an Occupational therapist can be quite challenging in a sense that you mostly assume the role of a counsellor as opposed to focusing on Impaired engagement in valued activities. Majority of our patients and fellow colleagues often times overlook the importance of leading a meaningful life through occupational competence. I have discovered through multiple assessment sessions that there is obvious impairment in occupational performance (Patterns , routines etc) which either predisposes , precipitate or continues to perpetuates the use of substances . Another major occupation that is overlooked is the constructive use of leisure time . I believe screening should be considered for all patients, in attempts to correctly identify , place , provide brief interventions and help prevent the escalation of the substance use and long term inpatient care. Some of the screenings tools that are helpful includes: The ASSIST(Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). AND AUDIT and self administered occupational performance questionnaires.