Here's how travel nurses can talk to patients about substance abuse.

How travel nurses can talk to patients about substance abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse is a prevalent issues across many age groups, which means any healthcare worker, including a travel nurse, might encounter patients battling addictions at some point in his or her career. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, 9.3 percent of individuals ages 12 and older needed substance abuse treatment in 2009, which is equivalent to about 23.5 million people.

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids explained that the International Nurses Society on Addictions wants to encourage more of these healthcare professionals to talk to patients about substance abuse. Nurses can naturally go about creating a discussion about substance abuse in a manner that coincides with the IntNSA-approved method – Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT).

Here is how travel nurses can better utilize SBIRT:

Conduct a quick drug and alcohol screening
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration explained that the screening process should serve as a means to determine the severity of the abuse and potential treatment options. Nurses can use a combination of professionalism and compassion when asking these questions, as they are generally intense by nature. However, the main purpose is to get an honest and comprehensive answer from patients.

The National Institutes of Health advised healthcare professionals ask the following questions:

  • How many alcoholic drinks do you consume per day or week?
  • Are you taking prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons?
  • Are you using illegal drugs?

Many adults drink alcohol, and doing so in moderation isn't necessarily a cause for concern. As such, it's important to evaluate patient behaviors against a margin. Of course, people should never use prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons, but acceptable alcohol use has more flexibility.

According to the National Institutes of Health, consuming three alcohol beverages in a day and seven or less in a week constitutes as low-risk drinking for women. Men, on the other hand, can consume four alcoholic drinks per day and no more than 14 each week to remain in the low-risk zone. Meanwhile, nurses can categorize heavy drinking habits if patients consume five or more drinks on a single occasion.

Even for low-risk drinkers, nurses may want to ask follow-up questions about their habits. For instance, does the person frequently drive home from the bar? Has the individual injured him or herself while intoxicated? Is the patient pregnant? These questions can help healthcare professionals better understand the scope of the problem if it exists.

Provide brief intervention
After ascertaining a patient's level of substance abuse, nurses should work to explain the consequences of this lifestyle and raise awareness of its dangers. Before you begin making suggestions, explain that you're coming from a healthcare perspective. As a travel nurse, it's your job to provide recommendations for living the highest quality of life.

Start by explaining the health risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, which will vary based on the substance. For instance, according to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol abuse increases your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, and breast or esophagus cancer, among other issues. Meanwhile, illicit drug use can lead to overdose and problems with brain development, especially among teens.

Make a referral for treatment
During this conversation, you'll be able to better determine if the patient needs more extensive and specialized care for substance abuse. Have a thorough understanding of your medical facility's process for making treatment referrals.

Of course, you shouldn't wait until the patient's problem becomes severe before making referrals or recommendations. Even those inching out of the low-risk drinking zone may benefit from understanding what they can do to reduce their alcohol consumption.

As a travel nurse, talking to patients about substance abuse can be intimidating. By following the above steps, you can make the conversation more comfortable and effective.

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