08 • Career


THE JOURNEY TO RECOVERY


GPs with a special interest in substance misuse look beyond standard clinical recovery to encourage hope and ambition in their patients


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ECOVERY is at the heart of the UK government’s current drug strategy, encouraging a focus on wellbeing, citizenship and freedom from dependence. It envisions patients being supported on an “individual,


person-centred journey” by a broad range of healthcare staff, emphasising that “no one professional can expect to meet all


the recovery needs of any of the people they work with”. Playing a key role within this multidisciplinary team are GPs with a


special interest (GPwSI) in substance misuse working collaboratively to build recovery in communities. Their specialist training and additional skills in this field means they are well placed to work with more complex cases. Supporting people who use drugs or alcohol means looking beyond a simple clinical model by helping patients with a variety of needs in all areas of their life. This is ideally done in a coordinated way and through interventions such as psychosocial approaches, harm reduction, addictions-specific prescribing and medically assisted recovery. With improved mental and physical health and appropriate support, other positive outcomes can often be realised, including employment, living in suitable accommodation, improved personal relationships and reduction in criminal activity.


Entry and training GPs developing a special interest in any field can acquire training in both practical and theoretical ways. This can include experience of working in relevant departments, self-directed learning, attendance at relevant recognised meetings/lectures/tutorials, vocational training programmes or a recognised university course. A good way of obtaining structured learning is to complete specialist


substance misuse training to certificate or diploma level. And while GPs are already able to prescribe opioid substitution treatment, those developing a special interest in the field of addiction may opt to sit in and shadow an experienced prescriber in order to improve their skill set. The RCGP’s Substance Misuse and Associated Health (SMAH) unit


also offers a range of courses, including the Certificate in the Detection, Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis B and C in Primary Care; the Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care (involving an eLearning module and a six-hour training day); and the Certificate in the Management of Drug Misuse. This course is spread over six months (equivalent to nine study days), running annually from February to November. Other training is offered by Substance Misuse Management in


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