Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Program Coordinator – Peter Clottu, Smoking, Alcohol and Other Drugs | peter.clottu@kwhb.com.au 
Program Coordinator - Debbie Hanlon, Regional Tobacco Coordinator | debbie.hanlon@kwhb.com.au 

At Katherine West Health Board, all of our Primary Healthcare Staff take an active role in promoting health issues, in particular tobacco and alcohol abuse, and the use of other drugs such as Marijuana (Ganja), Petrol or other potential inhalants.

Much of our work is done through our brief intervention model, which encourages one on one engagement with our client, to get them thinking about their health issue on a personal level.

Alcohol has a complex role in Australian society. Most Australians drink alcohol, generally for enjoyment, relaxation and sociability, and do so at levels that cause few adverse effects. However, a substantial proportion of people drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related harm. For some, alcohol is a cause of significant ill health and hardship. In many countries, including Australia, alcohol is responsible for a considerable burden of death, disease and injury. Alcohol-related harm to health is not limited to drinkers but also affects families, bystanders and the broader community.

Unhelpful Assumptions

Healthcare practitioners may have some unhelpful assumptions about health behaviour change.

Some to be aware of include:

• The person ought to change
• The person wants to change
• The person's health is their main priority
• If the person doesn't change the intervention has failed
• I am the expert and the person must follow my advice
• A tough approach is always the best

Key Principles

The person’s smoking/drinking is their choice

The person decides how much of a problem they have

Try not to argue or confront the person

Encourage the person to think about the good and bad things about their risk taking behaviour

Decision Making

5 Basic Strategies

1. Ask open ended questions which enables the person to explain in their own words how they feel or think about their smoking. “How do you feel about your drinking?” (Don’t ask yes/no questions)
2. Use reflective listening. Repeating back what the person is saying ensuring you understand them. “So your saying you think beer is healthier than water?”
3. Encourage doubts – help the person it doesn’t make sense for them to do something that they feel is harmful.
4. Be personal. Provide feedback for the person’s particular situation
5. Get the person to tell you why they should change

What next?

If your not confident doing interventions practice, practice, practice with friends, co workers etc.
Use resources available to assist you – smoke check, flip charts, 3D models

REMEMBER...
Some people will not be ready for change.

If they start drinking/smoking again it’s because they aren’t ready yet. It is not reflective on the quality of advice from you.
Be ready to talk again when the person needs to.