 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Elspeth Slayter, MSW, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, MS 035, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, 617-628-8509, eslayter@brandeis.edu
Estimates of the prevalence of substance use and abuse among people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD)fall across a significant range. Consequences of substance use among segments of this population include cross-reactions with certain prescription drugs, increased impairment of motor skills, and the reduction of cognitive functioning, which may lead to victimization and/or impulse control problems. Although substance use and abuse can have significant consequences for some members of this population, the issue has received little attention in either the social service or research realms. Diagnostic overshadowing, often present in the substance abuse treatment, MR/DD and mental health systems, can hamper both identification and treatment. Access to substance abuse prevention and treatment is extremely limited, as this issue may often be "off of the radar" for service providers in both disciplines and as standard substance abuse treatment approaches are not necessarily appropriate or effective. This paper presents a critical review of the literature to date, discusses possible screening, assessment and treatment techniques and analyzes issues related to intersectoral collaboration that may construct barriers to treatment access.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Disability Studies, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.