Patients with History of Substance Use: OT and PTs Roles

Substance use and its accompanying disorders frequently rear their ugly heads in health-care settings, carrying destructive behavior in their wake. Substance use, in the shape of present and former conditions, despite the level of severity, directly impacts patients’ ability to heal and to return to a prior level of function.  In many instances, physical and occupational therapists are expected to provide interventions for patients with a medical history of substance use. Such patients may be admitted to health-care facilities with substance-use related primary diagnoses, or they may be admitted for other medical concerns while their concomitant substance use conditions impact their therapy from the back seat.