GPs have a role in providing a comprehensive assessment of patients engaging in all forms of substance misuse behaviour (recreational, problematic or dependent use). This includes offering support, in particular for aspects of physical and mental health screening and harm reduction. Patients may not always actively seek support to reduce or abstain from substance misuse and thus, GPs need to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of drug use, identify red flags for safeguarding issues, take opportunities to offer screening for associated illnesses, co-morbidities and signpost for local harm reduction services.
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