Nursing Perspectives in Managing Patients with Substance Abuse

Abstract

Substance abuse has become a major health hazard in the United States. Caring for patients with addiction presents unique challenges and requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach in which nurses have a critical role. Alcohol and drug abuse can present in a variety of ways and requires individualized management. The provider must consider the scope of substance use and related disorders, conceptual models of addiction, ethical issues, addiction risk stratifications, and clinical recommendations. Through therapeutic communication, nursing interventions, clinical assessment, and building trusting relationships, nurses have significant impact in managing patients with substance abuse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)