A Voice from the Eastern Door

The steps in getting help!

The Wholistic Health and Wellness Program (Tekanikonrahwa:kon) would like to inform the community about the steps that are taken when someone wants or needs help.

Staff and client’s responsibilities;

• Client: You make the call. It’s the most important step you will make. If you think or know you need Detox then go to the Withdrawal Management Services in Cornwall at 510 Second Street East (613-938-8506)

• WHW Staff: information will be taken for Initial Contact (it is important that a client provides WHW with a valid phone number)

• WHW Staff: You will be given an appointment

• WHW Staff: An assessment will be completed covering the areas Identifying Data, Presenting Problems, Medical Status, Major life Factors, Family History, Legal, Spiritual/Cultural History, School/Vocational History, Grief and Loss History, Mental/ Emotional History, Psycho/Sexual History, and Substance Use History. This is all part of the drug and alcohol assessment.

• In the assessment if any referrals need to be made to a Doctor(s) and or Traditional Medicine will be the 1st or 2nd appointment, depending on status of client.

• Client: You will need all medical cards (OHIP or QHIP) updated

• Client: A physical has to be completed by your Doctor (a fee of $20.00)

• Client: You must have a TB test also known as PPD test or Mantoux. This takes three days to complete-72 hours

• WHW Staff: A date for admission into treatment center is given (upon bed availability)

• Client: When you enter into a treatment center the stay will possibly be anywhere from 20 to 30 days or can be 6 months (long term)

• Client: This next step is just as important as treatment. Complete your aftercare program. A person has not completed a successful treatment plan until you have finished an aftercare program. (Some treatment centers make the appointment for aftercare with WHW counselor before client is discharged)

• Client: You must continue with your self help groups

• WHW Staff/ Client: Sometime a recommendation for a half way house is needed, for a stronger support system. This is anywhere from 3months to a one year program.

It is very important for parents and families to attend Al-Anon and get education on how the family is affected by use of drugs or alcohol and attend a counseling program for yourself.

Drug and Alcohol Assessment First Step (Engagement)

What is engagement?

• Building a working relationship

• Showing that you care

• Working towards mutually acceptable goals

• Building trust

• Building rapport

• Analyzing any “counter-transference” that may occur and detaching from any instinctive feeling, if necessary.

How to engage people:

• Explain (and provide) confidentiality

• Interview individually

• Appropriate setting

• Flexible approach

• Be non-confrontational

• Be non-judgmental

• Be yourself

Overview of Assessment:

Aim of assessment is to

• Obtain a relevant drug and alcohol history and obtain a physical examination

• Establish whether there is a diagnosis of a substance use disorder

• Categorize patient’s readiness to change

• This information is then used to formulate a management plan based on individual’s needs

• Assessment is itself a therapeutic process

Links substance use to problems, sometimes for the first time

Quantifies use, enhancing self awareness

It is important to assess: Current status

• Reason for presentation (including social factors)

• Intoxication, overdose or withdrawal?

Drug Use

• Currently and in the past

• Patterns and route of administration

• Physical and psychosocial consequences or coexisting problems

• Presence of a substance use diagnosis

• Harmful use or dependence

• Motivation

History Taking

• Tailored to circumstances

• Comprehensive assessment in not always necessary or helpful on first contact

• If necessary, can be done over several sessions

All patients/clients should have a:

• Quantified alcohol history

• Quantified smoking history

• Maintain a high index of suspicion for other substances

• More detailed questions where indicated

• Obtain a comprehensive drug and alcohol history

• Assess whether daily intake is increasing or decreasing and if so, why?

• Assess avenues for intervention to decrease intake

Ask about:

All drugs of abuse:

• Tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, misuse of prescribed drugs (especially benzodiazepines), stimulants

(cocaine, amphetamine), Opioids (OxyContin) and Hallucinogens

• Frequency /duration/amount used

• Route of administration

• Previous attempts at reduction or cessation of substance use

• Does your patient/client want to STOP or cut down

For more information please call Wholistic Health and Wellness Program 575-2341 ex.3100

 

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