Drug & alcohol nursing

Drug and alcohol nurses provide clinical services to people whose drug and alcohol problems are often complex and can involve a variety of drugs. These include tobacco, alcohol, prescribed medications, illicit drugs such as heroin, amphetamines and cannabis, as well as combinations of drugs and alcohol.

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What do drug and alcohol nurses do?
Alcohol and other drug related problems impact on the entire health care system, community resources and social situations. A range of injuries and other health problems occur either directly or indirectly because of drug and alcohol problems. Nurses in particular, being highly skilled and the largest number of health care providers, are in an ideal position to identify potential risks and minimize alcohol and other drug related harms. Nurses can effectively apply prevention strategies such as education, support, direct clinical interventions and referral for many of their patients with alcohol or drug problems.

Where can drug and alcohol nursing take me?
Nurses who provide alcohol and other drug clinical services work in a range of settings including: alcohol and other drug specialist outpatient services in community health centres and acute care hospitals, home detoxification services, pharmacotherapy clinics (formerly methadone clinics), community corrections services, education services, mental health services, rural and remote services, employee assistance programs, industrial areas, private consultative practices and many other areas. For more information on post-graduate course availability in this area, click here to go to the further education section.

Where can I get more information on drug and alcohol nursing?
Visit the DANA website: www.danaonline.org