Health care providers are generally the first point of contact for any person with a health or medical concern/condition. Research has shown that primary care providers are best positioned to provide health information and education to patients.
Substance use affects many Canadians either directly or indirectly, and as a primary care provider you are in a unique position to make a difference in the lives of your patients. Asking about substance use encompasses part of a comprehensive health assessment and can be accomplished by:
- Asking about alcohol, cannabis or other substance use
- Advising on the short/long-term physical, mental, emotional and social risks
- Assessing readiness to make a change in substance use
- Assisting in strategies to optimize your patient’s health and wellbeing in regard to substance use
- Arranging for additional support
Alcohol resources
- Alcohol Screening and Treatment Resources
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Motivational Interviewing Techniques: Alcohol (Video)
Opioid resources
Other websites
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Communicating Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines Communicating Alcohol Related Health Risks – for Health Care Professionals
- Alcohol Screening and Treatment Resources
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Motivational Interviewing Techniques: Alcohol (Video)