Alcohol and Substance Use

Substance use affects many people in our community and we all play a part in decreasing the harms due to substance use. As a healthcare provider, you can play an important role in helping your patients manage their substance use. This guide gives you simple ways to talk about it and connect your patients to the help they need.

How can you start the conversation about substance use?

It is recommended that you include substance use in routine health assessments utilizing strategies from  motivational interviewing. Here’s how:

• Ask about use: Ask if you can discuss alcohol and other drugs. Asking permission builds trust and comfort.

• Advise on risks: Share information about how substance use can impact physical, mental, and social well-being. Provide personalized health advice based on your patient's health history.

• Assess readiness for change: Explore whether your patient is ready to make changes to their substance use and what their goals may be.

• Assist with strategies: Offer practical advice and resources to help them improve their health and well-being based around their goals.

• Arrange support: Refer your patient to specialized services or community resources as needed, specifically with counseling, medications and treatment as needed.

What are available resources to help you support your patients?

Alcohol Resources

• Canadian Clinical Guideline: High-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder

• CCSA's Alcohol Screening and Treatment Resources

• Public Health Agency of Canada: Motivational Interviewing Techniques: Alcohol (Video)

Opioid resources

• Naloxone and needle exchange program

• Opioid monitoring