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Getting Help The most difficult aspect of getting help involves overcoming the denial. Denial is a psychological trait whereby a person is unable to allow him- or herself to acknowledge the reality a situation. (Carson-DeWitt, 1995).This may lead a person to completely deny his or her substance use, or may cause the person to greatly underestimate the degree of the problem and its effects on his or her life.(Carson-DeWitt, 1995). One of the simplest and most commonly used screening tools used by practitioners is the CAGE questionnaire. CAGE refers to the first letters of each word which forms the basis of each of the four questions of the screening exam (Carson-DeWitt, 1995): *Have you ever tried to Cut down on your substance use? *Have you ever been Annoyed by people trying to talk to you about your substance use? *Do you ever feel Guilty about your substance use? *Do you ever need an Eye opener (use of the substance first thing in the morning) in order to start your day? [Source: Self Evaluation The following was addopted from: YES, If You Are: * A woman who has more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion. * A man who has more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion. * Older than 65 years and have more than seven drinks* per week or more than three drinks per occasion. YES,If You: * Drink or use drugs and drive or operate machinery, or if you mix alcohol or drugs with other medicine (over-the-counter and prescription drugs). * Don't tell your surgeon, physician, or pharmacist that you are a regular drinker or user of mood-altering drugs. * Are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink or use drugs. (Even small amounts of alcohol can hurt an unborn child. Other drugs are also dangerous in pregnancy.) * Drink alcohol or use drugs while you are looking after small children. YES, If You Consume Regularly To: * Relax, relieve anxiety, or go to sleep. * Be more comfortable in social situations. * Avoid thinking about sad or unpleasant things. * Socialize with other regular drinkers or drug users. YES, If You: * Worry about having enough alcohol or drugs for an evening or weekend. * Hide alcohol or drugs, or buy alcohol at different stores so people will not know how much you are drinking. * Switch from one kind of drink to another, hoping that this will keep you from getting drunk. * Try to get "extra" drinks at a social event or sneak drinks when others aren't looking. YES, If You: Can't stop drinking or using drugs once you start. * Have tried to stop drinking or using drugs for a week or so but only lasted a few days. * Fail to do what you should at work or at home because of drinking or drug use. * Feel guilty after drinking or using drugs. * Find that other people make comments to you about your drinking or drug use. * Have had a drink or used drugs in the morning to get yourself going. * Can't remember what happened while you were drinking or using drugs. * Have hurt someone as a result of your drinking or drug use. If you feel you need help to cut down, you can contact: Your doctor for advice, treatment, or referral or try visiting one of the sites on this page. |
Helpfull Links and Resources References American Family Physician. (2003). Substance Abuse - How to recognize it. In Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m3225/7_67/99410480/p1/article.jhtml Adlersberg, M. (2003). Chemical Dependency - Helping a Nurse Return to Work. Retrieved from RNABC Website at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/journalissue.asp? Journal_ID=54027&Issue_ID=423568 Black, J. M., Hokanson Hawks, J., Keene, A. M. (2001). Medical Surgical Nursing: Clinical management for positive outcomes, (6th ed.). Toronto: W.B. Saunders Company. Carson – DeWitt, R., S. (1995). Substance Abuse and Dependence. In Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/g2601/0013/2601001313/p1/article.jhtml Consumer. (n.d.). Getting the Facts. In At Health. Retrieved from http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/adolescentsufacts.html Ford - Martin, P. (1995). Substance Abuse and Dependence. In Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/g2603/0006/2603000688/p1/article.jhtml Merrill, J. C. (2001). Substance Abuse: Myths and realities in the corporate sector. In Business & Health. Retrieved from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0903/1 19/69411813/p3/article.jhtml?term RNABC Website (2003). Practice Consultants and Regional Nursing Practice Advisors. Retrieved at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/journalissue.asp?Journal_ID=54027&Issue _ID=423568 Substance Misuse and chemical dependency by nurses. (2002). In CNA Position statement. Retrieved November from http://www.cna-nurses.ca/pages/policies/old policy statements out of circulation/substance_misuse.html Substance Abuse. (n.d.). In Employee Resource System. Retrieved from http://www.employeeresourcesystems.com/docs/substanceabuse.html Wbsite Used for Images |
