13105 Respond to a Person with Acute Issues Related to Misuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Guidance Information

1People awarded credit in this unit standard are able to explain the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social services, and are able to apply this competence to the context of assessment for this unit standard (for further clarification, please refer to Unit 7927, Explain the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social services).

2This unit standard may be assessed on the basis of evidence of demonstrated performance in the work place, or through the use of simulated work place situations that closely approximate the performance required in workplace settings. It is recommended that assessment for this unit standard occur alongside assessment for Unit 13104, Demonstrate knowledge of alcohol and other drugs in social service work, and Unit 13106, Provide screening related to use or misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

3Glossary

Alcohol and other drugs is the chosen term for this unit standard. Alcohol is a drug, but it is specified because reference to drugs may or may not be interpreted to include alcohol.

Characteristics and needs of a service user may be physical, spiritual, or mental. Characteristics and needs include: age and stage of development, beliefs, culture, disability, gender, health status, language, sexual orientation, values, and needs for physical comfort, safety, and privacy.

Crisis means a state of significant change or upset in the equilibrium of the life of a service user. This may occur when the individual faces difficulties which are for a period of time not manageable by their usual coping methods. Crises may be provoked by anticipated life events, developmental changes, or by sudden traumatic stress, leading to a state both of danger and opportunity for positive change and development.

Misuse means the use of alcohol or other drugs that includes or exceeds hazardous use on a continuum of use.

Other drugs refers to both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs, and includes anticholinergics, cannabis, benzodiazepines, inhalants, hallucinogens, opiates, and nicotine and other stimulants.

Service user is used as a generic term to denote people who have acute issues related to alcohol and other drugs. They may be referred to by various descriptive terms in the range of social service settings.

4All communications with the service user are treated confidentially. The scope and limits of confidentiality are defined through negotiation and informed consent of the service user, and criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines. In the context of this unit standard, sources of criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider guidelines include but are not limited to: Official Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1993, service provider codes of conduct, codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner, social service codes of ethics, and service provider guidelines, protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans, kawa or tikanga.

5Other legislation or codes relevant to this unit standard include the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (provisions related to the classes of drugs and range of penalties), Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966 and Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (provisions related to compulsory assessment and treatment), Transport Act 1962 (Section 38), Maori Community Development Act 1962 (provisions related to the control of alcohol and the misuse of alcohol), Education Act 1989 (provisions related to suspension and expulsion of students), the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (provisions related to appointment of a property manager and welfare guardian), and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer's Rights.

6People awarded credit in this unit standard demonstrate and self monitor their ability to relate to difference, as evidenced by acknowledgement and respect for difference, acceptance, genuineness, honesty, humility, patience, and warmth. They use inclusive language, and skills that are appropriate to the characteristics and needs of the service user. They seek to establish and maintain rapport with the service user, positive feedback is responded to, criticism or negative feedback is responded to without defensiveness, and changes required to re-establish rapport are acted upon. They demonstrate and communicate clarity about their role in the social services within their relationship with the service user. They know the limits of their role, function and competence, and when to refer on to others.

7People awarded credit in this unit standard demonstrate knowledge of the service provider's standards for safe practice in dealing with needles and body fluids.

8People awarded credit in this unit standard show that their actions are guided and supported by valid theory for social service practice. Evidence is required of social service theory that is derived from authoritative sources, which may include but are not limited to: body of knowledge related to social service work; cultural theory; practice research.

Outcomes and performance criteria

Outcome 1

Assess the service user's situation related to misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Performance criteria

1.1Procedures to assess the service user's situation related to misuse of alcohol and other drugs are employed according to the nature and degree of any intoxication of the service user.

1.2Signs and symptoms and acute issues related to the service user's misuse of alcohol and other drugs are identified according to the outcomes of screening or other brief assessment.

Rangeacute issues – risk of self endangerment, risks to others, risk of harm to property, risk of infection, actual infection, family or whānau crisis or other crisis;

infection – blood and other body fluid borne infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.

1.3The service user's situation related to misuse of alcohol and other drugs is assessed in the context of available information related to other aspects of the service user's personal and social situation.

Rangeother aspects – service user characteristics and needs; family or whānau situation; legal situation; physical and mental health; previous history of intervention for alcohol and drug misuse.

1.4Screening or other brief assessment methods are used according to the service user's characteristics and needs.

Outcome 2

Respond to acute issues related to misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Performance criteria

2.1Where the service user is intoxicated, the nature and level of the response is according to the degree of intoxication of the service user.

2.2The nature and level of the response is according to the identified acute issues related to the service user's misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Rangeresponses include but are not limited to – provision of or referral for assessment, detoxification, education and information giving, face to face or telephone counselling, community support, short term or long term residential treatment, self help groups.

Evidence is required of provision of one of the range of responses, and referral for one other.

2.3Responses are according to prioritisation of the acute issues in terms of their severity or identified safety risk(s).

2.4The nature and level of the response is according to the characteristics and needs of the service user.

2.5Follow up procedures are established and implemented according to the nature of the response, service user characteristics and needs, and service provider guidelines.

This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.