Occupational therapy supports people to maintain , or begin to consider , a life without substances
Our aim is to offer another perspective for patients and support them to develop meaningful , satisfying lives post substance use . The evidence shows us that many individuals relapse within a year so the need for more than just a physical detox and psychosocial work was very apparent .
We also know that once the routines of a substance-using lifestyle are taken away , people need something else to replace that . Many have often missed out on learning skills , such as budgeting , self-care and problem solving , amongst others , and these can often be overlooked as not being relevant to our services .
We believe by giving patients access to occupational therapy support , we can enable them to fully maintain , or begin to consider , a life without substances .
PAULA TAYLOR , Service Manager , Gwent Specialist Substance Misuse Service
Standards , strategies and legislation
GOV . WALES ( n . d .) GOV . WALES service standard . Available online at : https :// gov . wales / gov-wales-service-standard [ Accessed 23 March 2022 ].
Legislation . Gov . uk ( 2010 ) Mental Health ( Wales ) Measure 2010 . Available online at : www . legislation . gov . uk / mwa / 2010 / 7 / contents [ accessed 5 July 2022 ].
distressing for someone if adequate consideration has not been given to how addiction has contributed towards a sense of belonging , control and ability to cope , identity and structure in their life ( Rojo-Mota et al 2017 ).
Working with that individual , identifying their strengths , values , interest and their goals , you can collaborate on working towards reducing substance related harm and meaningful , lasting recovery .
It can be even more challenging for service users experiencing the dual stigma of substance use and mental health illness . With the creativity and unique perspective on how we live and organise our lives , occupational therapy is in a perfect position to reframe addiction in a way that challenges stigma and advocates for individuals who experience difficulty accessing services and treatment .
Bevan Commission ( 2021 ) Evaluating the value and impact of occupational therapy in primary care . Available online at : https :// bit . ly / 3OMzs2j [ Accessed 7 April 2022 ].
Connolly D , Anderson M , Colgan M , Montgomery J , Clarke J , Kinsella M ( 2018 ) The impact of a primary care stress management and wellbeing programme ( RENEW ) on occupational participation : A pilot study . British Journal of Occupational Therapy Volume : 82 ( 2 ): 112-121 .
https :// doi . org / 10.1177 / 0308022618793323 .
Rojo-Mota G , Pedrero-Pérez EJ , Huertas-Hoyas E ( 2017 ). Systematic Review of Occupational therapy in the treatment of addiction : Models , practice and qualitative and quantitative research . American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 71 ( 5 ), 7105100 030p1 – 7105100030p11 .
https :// doi . org / 10 . 5014 / ajot . 2017.022061
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2017 ) Occupational therapy evidence fact sheet : Adult mental health . Available online at : www . rcot . co . uk / files / adult-mental-healthpdf [ accessed 5 July 2022 ].
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2018 ) Getting my life back : Occupational therapy promoting mental health and wellbeing in Wales . Available online at : https :// bit . ly / 3bRC4NO [ accessed 5 July 2022 ].
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2021 ) Roots of recovery : occupational therapy at the heart of health equity . Available online at : https :// bit . ly / 3yfEsWd [ accessed 5 July 2022 ].
Ryan DA and Boland P ( 2021 ) A scoping review of occupational therapy interventions in the treatment of people with substance use disorders . Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy , 49 ( 2 ): 104 – 114 .
Word JONATHAN FISHER , Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist , Gwent Specialist Substance Misuse Service , Aneurin Bevan University Health Board . If you would like to know more , please contact Jon at
Jonathan . Fisher2 @ wales . nhs . uk or Twitter @ fisheraddiction . See also page 56 .
28 OTnews July 2022