NCJ Number
186946
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 61-72
Date Published
February 2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the incidence, services provided, and problems related to substance-misusing patients in primary care in Wiltshire, England.
Abstract
The total population of general practitioners (n = 210) in the Health Commission for Wiltshire was sent a postal questionnaire; 49 percent responded (n = 103) and 10 percent of respondents were interviewed. The number of alcohol-misusing patients seen per month was much higher than illicit drug-misusing patients. Ninety-two percent of general practitioners provided general medical services for alcohol misusers, and 86 percent for illicit drug misusers. Fifty-four per cent of respondents provided substitute medication for illicit drugs, and 42 percent provided detoxification medication for illicit drugs. Sixty-five percent of respondents provided medication for alcohol detoxification. Difficulties encountered included missed appointments, time-wasting, aggressive behavior, communication difficulties, and upset to other patients. Twelve percent of general practitioners were willing to provide more services for illicit drug users, compared with 27 percent for alcohol users. The paper discusses interventions to improve the situation for general practitioners and substance-misusing patients. Tables, references