The Primary Care Management of Substance Misusers

Abstract

GPs have an important role in ensuring substance-misusing patients have access to appropriate treatment, for both their general health needs and to tackle their problem drug use. Prescribing in this area is often met with unease amongst GPs, who may receive little in the way of formal training on this topic. To minimize risk and maximize the benefit to the patient, GPs should be aware of current safe prescribing guidance, common pitfalls when treating this patient group and the wealth of non-pharmacological harm-reduction strategies that are a vital underpinning element of primary care treatment.