ABSTRACT
Nurses working in general practice settings are ideally placed to engage with clients who have substance misuse issues, as often they are the point of contact that clients have in primary care. This chapter provides information, guidance and advice for primary care nurses working with clients who have drug dependence. Clients with an addiction may present with a variety of health problems and the assessment and management should reflect the client's priorities. The chapter focuses on the selection of common health issues specific to clients with drug dependence which primary care nurses may appropriately address: malnutrition; women's health and screening issues; sexual health and contraception; and issues associated with addiction and harm reduction advice. Women with dependency issues historically have a low uptake of primary healthcare services particularly screening and health promotion/prevention activities. Health promotion can be defined as any planned measure which promotes health or prevents disease, disability and premature death', and to provide information and create empowerment'.
