Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Practice Recommendations

Practice Recommendations

Level of Evidence

1.0 Assessment

Recommendation 1.1:

Screen all clients to determine whether they use substances.

V

Recommendation 1.2:

For clients who use substances, use universal screening questions and/or an appropriate screening tool to determine the level of support required.

V

Recommendation 1.3:

Conduct a comprehensive assessment with all clients who screen positive for substance use, as appropriate based on the nurses’ knowledge, skill, time, setting and resources.

V

2.0

Planning

Recommendation 2.1:

Build collaborative relationships with clients through the use of motivational interviewing techniques to develop the plan of care

Ia

3.0 Implementation

Recommendation 3.1: Use brief intervention to collaborate with clients identified as at risk for or experiencing a substance use disorder.

Ia

Recommendation 3.2: Advocate for and support access to combined pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, as appropriate, and promote the appropriate use of combined interventions to improve well-being and health outcomes.

Ia

Recommendation 3.3: Engage youth and adolescents at risk for or experiencing a substance use disorder using family-based therapies until recovery, as appropriate.

Ia

4.0 Evaluation

Recommendation 4.1:

Reassess the effectiveness of the plan of care until the client’s goals are met.

V

 

 

Addiction and Mental Health
Engaging Clients who Use Substances
Practice Recommendations