Substance Use Disorder in Primary Care: Which Drugs Are Used and How to Intervene

摘要

Substance use is a growing problem in the primary care setting. Screening and assessing patients for substance use is the first step in addressing this problem. Screening tools and other interventions can assist in evaluating which substances are being used in a given geographic area, can identify patients at risk, and can direct the care of these patients when help is wanted. Each substance of abuse has its own guidelines; counseling techniques, and pharmacologic treatments. The goal of substance use disorder intervention is to build a relationship with patients, to identify the substance being used, and to employ patient-centered methods to help patients achieve better health and. potentially, sobriety.