Dealing with substance abuse among people with disabilities

Many persons with physical disability have a hidden disability: substance abuse involving alcohol and/or psychotropic drugs. Patterns of substance abuse behavior vary according to use before disability, following the onset of disability, or both before and following the onset of disability. Substance abuse has a negative impact on a person's vocation, academic performance, family life, and social life, as well as on physical health. Rehabilitation nurses need assessment skills and interventions specifically aimed at dealing with substance abuse.