CPPE is introducing new training to help pharmacy teams support people who misuse drugs and other substances.

Substance misuse is the use of any substance that is not consistent with legal or medical guidelines.

It may adversely affect a person’s physical and/or mental health, and their ability to maintain their social situation and responsibilities. This may or may not result in dependency, or problematic or harmful behaviour.

A range of substances may be misused including aerosols, alcohol, anabolic steroids, cannabis, cocaine, glue, heroin, novel psychoactive substances (NPS) or so-called ‘legal highs’, and some OTC and prescription medicines.

Definitions

The term ‘dependency’ describes a compulsion to continue taking a substance in order to feel good or to avoid feeling bad. When this is done to avoid physical discomfort or withdrawal, it is known as physical dependence; when it has a psychological aspect (the need for stimulation or pleasure or to escape reality), then it is known as psychological dependence.

Another feature of dependency is tolerance – the decrease in response to a substance that occurs with continued use. Increased doses of the substance are required to achieve the effects originally produced by lower doses.

New learning floor

CPPE has developed a new floor on substance misuse at theLearningpharmacy.com to help community pharmacy teams learn more about supporting people who misuse drugs and other substances and to signpost people for further support and advice.

The programme is suitable for all the pharmacy team and no registration or login is required. It consists of small learning challenges, designed as small bites of learning lasting 10-15 minutes that can be completed as a team, individually or used as a teaching tool.

To find out more and to access the programme, visit The Learning Pharmacy website.