An alcohol and drug education program for nurses

Alcohol and drug use and abuse present serious problems for health care professionals, both as clinicians and abusers. These topics, however, have not been addressed adequately in nursing curricula. Nurses need to know the effects that alcohol and drug use and abuse have on individuals, families, and society. In this article, the authors outline the framework for a course or presentation that reviews the problems and applies the nursing process to the issues. The course can be adapted to meet the needs of nurses in any discipline, including the perioperative area, as well as for other health care providers and community groups. Course content and teaching strategies are included.