ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE IN LOCKDOWN - A compassion-based, harm-reduction approach to understanding and managing in the context of lockdown

This workshop aims to help clinicians better identify potential substance misuse with their clients, and the implications of lockdown on substance use. During lockdown, clients may be managing increased emotional distress including stress, overwhelm, boredom, disconnection and malaise. Lockdown presents a tricky paradox; for many of us, there is both less to do and more to do, with both increased connection (via technology) and decreased connection (due to lack of physical proximity). For some populations, lack of access to or understanding of technology can increase their distress and disconnection further. Clients might also be dealing with the intensity of spending more time together with infrequent time alone while working or schooling from home. All of these stressors may lead people to increasing their substance use.

This workshop will give an overview of the aetiologies of substance abuse and vulnerable populations, as well as ideas about how to compassionately approach conversations with clients about increased substance use. It will also teach therapists how to approach safety concerns and engage with primary care clinicians where escalated care for a client is required.

An overview of learning points follow;
- Aetiologies of Substance Abuse (epigenetic, genetic and personality traits; trauma; family discordance or family violence; economic stress; underlying psychopathologies; symptom management, etc)
- Being aware of and identifying increased substance use during lockdown
- Compassion-based conceptualisation of substance use to help clients manage guilt, shame or toxic feelings
- Harm reduction strategies (which take into consideration a client’s significantly reduced options during lockdown)
- Creating a care plan with clients
- New or alternate boundary considerations while clinicians are not seeing clients in person
- Ideas for engaging in collaborative care with primary health clinicians, and when to encourage a client to seek escalated care (I.e., medical care)

Resources provided to attendees include;
- Letter template for engaging with primary health clinicians

- Care Plan and 8 Dimensions of Wellness worksheet
- Harm Reduction Strategies
- Recovery Wheel
- Further reading list