These guidelines replace previous memoranda. They are intended to clarify: Show
They should be used as the basis for development of inter-agency protocols with drug treatment services. BackgroundAlcohol and drug intoxication may influence a person's mental state presentation and may imitate or mask symptoms of an underlying mental or physical disorder. The resulting lack of inhibition and the depressant effect on the central nervous system may increase the risk of harm to self and others and exacerbate the risk of suicide. Coronial findings have emphasised the importance of mental state assessment in the presence of alcohol or drug intoxication. Key principles
Implications for mental health service staffThe presence of alcohol and/or drug intoxication does not preclude early assessment, although it may indicate the need for further assessment when the person is no longer intoxicated. When a request for assessment is received, it is not appropriate to insist that the person be free from the effects of alcohol and/or drugs. This includes requests by police for assessment of persons held in police cells when there is a concern that mental illness or risk of suicide is present in a person who is also intoxicated. The coexistence of intoxication does not prevent assessment by Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) services. This is emphasised in the Key Service Requirements for Enhanced (CAT) services and applies to the assessment of suicide risk and general mental state assessment. Staff should familiarise themselves with Drug and Alcohol services in their local area to facilitate appropriate referral and collaborative interventions. Relevant policyThe Key Service Requirements for Enhanced CAT Services (18/5/99) state: The service will directly assess all persons referred from the community as being suicidal or who are identified as potentially at risk of suicide due to the presence of recognised risk factors, and ensure that they are rapidly responsive to such referrals on a 24 hour basis. This includes those who are intoxicated as a result of the consumption of alcohol or other drugs, and clients who do not require hospital admission or are not current clients of mental health services and may not require ongoing involvement with public mental health services. Relevant legislationThe criteria for admission and detention as an involuntary patient are provided in section 8(1) of the Mental Health Act 1986. Section 8(2) provides that a person is not to be considered mentally ill by reason only of a number of factors including that the person takes drugs or alcohol (section 8(2)(k)). Section 8(3) qualifies this: sub-section 2(k) does not prevent the serious temporary or permanent physiological, biochemical or psychological effects of drug or alcohol taking from being regarded as an indication that a person is mentally ill. It would be incorrect to assume that a person suffering, for example, from a severe schizophrenic illness or major depressive episode or situational crisis should be excluded from treatment because they have a high blood alcohol level. Intoxication may lead to an exacerbation of symptoms or deterioration in behaviour, necessitating greater intervention. The fact that a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not prevent recommendation if the criteria in section 8(1) are met. Preliminary breath testingMembers of the police force have the power to administer a preliminary breath test under section 53 of the Road Safety Act 1986. Police do not have the power to conduct a preliminary breath test under other circumstances and should not be requested to do so by staff of mental health services. Breath testing may be used as a clinical tool where this is clinically appropriate. For example, it may be used during medical detoxification or as a means of monitoring patient compliance with the conditions attached to leave. It may also be used to monitor part of an overall treatment plan that includes abstinence or controlled alcohol intake. In these instances, testing is carried out with the consent of the person tested and is performed by clinical staff. Breath testing is not appropriately used to assess the value or necessity of clinical assessment. Drug treatment servicesVictorian drug treatment services provide secondary and tertiary specialist drug treatment services. These services are not emergency services and are unable to admit people on that basis. The secondary and tertiary services provided include:
A number of statewide services provide specialist assistance to complement services provided at the regional level. These include:
Access to these statewide services is not available outside business hours Monday to Friday. There are three services which provide a 24 hour service. These are:
Treatment optionsTreatment options available to clinical staff where a person is assessed as drug and/or alcohol intoxicated include:
You are responsible for monitoring patrons for signs of undue intoxication. You are not required to count drinks or use a breathalyser but you should observe the patron's speech, coordination, balance and behaviour. The amount of liquor that each person consumes before becoming unduly intoxicated varies. The signs of intoxication may be influenced by:
SpeechIncoherent, rambling and slurring.BehaviourRude, offensive, overly friendly, annoying, confused, aggressive, violent and inappropriate.BalanceUnsteady on feet, staggering and swaying.CoordinationSpilling drinks, inability to find one's mouth with a glass, drowsiness and difficulty opening and closing doors.
Transcript of animation You may consider the following indicators when assessing if someone is unduly intoxicated, but this is not a definitive list.
If you note any of the above indicators in a patron’s conduct, assess if there could be causes other than intoxication. Speaking to a person about the possible causes for their signs of intoxication is important in meeting your obligations under the Liquor Act. It also ensures that you do not unlawfully discriminate against a person with mental or physical impairments. Your observations of the quantity, rate and type of liquor consumed by a patron on the premises can help inform your assessment of whether that person is unduly intoxicated. In the situation where you observe a patron has consumed little or no liquor at your venue but they are showing signs of being unduly intoxicated, they may have consumed liquor (or other intoxicating substances) before entering your venue, or you may not have seen their previous consumption at the premises. If they display indicators of undue intoxication and you have spoken to them to ascertain there are no other causes, you still have grounds for reasonable belief that they are unduly intoxicated. Transcript of video Also consider...
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