Healthcare: Women, Substance Use and Primary Care
- Substance Use and Women: The reasons for substance use, consequences, and motivation for change are different for men than for women. Substance use can affect all areas of a woman's health. The co-incidence of substance abuse, mental illness and trauma is briefly reviewed. Skills learned in this training may be used to educate women who are considering pregnancy from using substances that will adversely affect maternal, fetal and neonatal health, as well as address substance use issues for girls and women who are not pregnant. Current research is placed in the context of women's lives and relationships.
- Screening for substance use: The 5 P'S-Universal and routine screening can identify women at risk as well as women who may need treatment. Screening can be self-administered or accomplished in an interview format. The 5 P'S screening tool is based on the Relational Model.
- Brief interventions: By discussing the risks associated with substance use in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational manner, primary care staff can normalize conversations about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs during routine office visits. Strategies for talking about substance use with women include the Stages of Change model and Motivational Interviewing.
- Legal Issues: Women who use alcohol and other drugs may be at legal risk; current issues will be discussed, especially those pertaining to parenting issues.
- Resources: Developing linkages to treatment and community resources can better serve women and busy primary care staff. Patient educational materials are also discussed.
- Site-Specific Protocol Development: Assistance in developing procedures and protocols for your practice/project is available, as well as addressing barriers.
