Master Substance Use Disorder Assessment (Formerly Substance Abuse Assessment) with Picmonic for Medicine

Due to preoccupation with obtaining the substance, staving off withdrawal symptoms and/or unsafe living conditions, the patient with substance use disorder may present with poor physical hygiene and a disheveled appearance.

The patient with substance use disorder may experience unusual sleeping patterns. Assess for increased fatigue, insomnia, and sleeping at odd and unusual times.

Patients with suspected substance use disorder may experience frequent injuries that may be unexplained or explained by frequent falls, accidents, physical altercations or other unsafe means that may be necessary to obtain the substance.

Repeated exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and or other psychoactive substances overtime may alter brain structure, chemistry, and function, leading to potential loss of control over the substance despite harm or the knowledge of risk of harm. Therefore, the patient may have difficulty maintaining relationships, as well as experiencing relationship conflicts. In addition they may experience job difficulty, i.e., constantly late or absent from work, or changing jobs frequently.

If the patient with substance use disorder has a job, they may have difficulty completing tasks and being honest. It is important for the nurse to assess the patient for job difficulty and relationship issues.

Due to imbalanced nutrition and deficient fluid volume, the patient with substance use disorder may present with anorexia or increased weight loss.

Individuals affected with addiction are often alienated and isolated from their families, workplaces, and communities, along with experiencing significant barriers, such as stigma. Therefore, in addition to having relationship and job difficulties, the patient with substance use disorder may experience social isolation causing them to be absent from work or withdraw from friends and social activities.

The patient with substance use disorder may experience financial problems, which may include trying to obtain the substance illegally or in unsafe ways. This may result in theft and possible incarceration.