Drugs - taking a drug history

Ask about each individual substance

• Quantity
• Frequency
• Pattern of usage
• Age of onset when taking drugs
• When was the most recent use
• Method of administration
• Money spent on drugs
• Risky behaviours
• TOLERANCE
• DEPENDANCE
• WITHDRAWAL
• Motivation to quit
• Physical problems: cellulitis, hepatitis, aneurysms, abscesses, infection, other drug related medical issues
• Trigger factors to use drugs
• Understanding and insight

Clinical features of drug use:
Opiates - pinpoint pupils, low BP, venepuncture marks
Benzodiazepines - disinhibited or gives the impression of intoxicated, but is not drunk
Psychostimulants - rapid speech, large pupils, agitation, restlessness, high BP