Module 3: Assessment

Lesson 2

Acute pain: Comprehensive assessment (cont’d)

The substance use history

• Current, past, and family history of substance misuse, abuse, and addiction must be assessed (alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, prescription medications, cocaine, non-prescription stimulants and other agents, hallucinogens, and solvents).
• Previous diagnoses of addiction or attendance at a treatment program should be identified.
  • Care must be taken not to label individuals displaying substance dependence or tolerance as having an addiction without an appropriate diagnoses by a clinician with the knowledge skills and ability to make such a diagnoses.