Advice for Addiction Treatment
Services: Psychoactive substances
What does the law change on psychoactive substances
mean for addiction treatment services?
It is now illegal to sell any psychoactive substances until they are proven to be of low risk. This law change
may impact on communities, families and whānau as people stop using psychoactive substances.
Stopping use after daily or frequent use over a couple of months can trigger withdrawal symptoms. Most
people will experience mild to moderate symptoms, but for some, the effects will be more serious.
It is likely that addiction treatment services will come under increased demand as people seek support from
health professionals to manage their own, or a family member’s, withdrawal symptoms after stopping use of
psychoactive substances.
How to prepare for increased service demands
The Ministry anticipates that cessation of shop bought products is likely to cause short term impacts on
addiction treatment services. Services can mitigate the impacts on sudden increased demand from this user
group by:
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developing local general publicity advising the availability of services (both within usual hours and
out of hours) and ensuring understanding in the community that staff can work with clients
ensuring staff have access to relevant information, eg, withdrawal management guidelines
reviewing GP liaison services to ensure medical assistance is available as required
ensuring coordination with services such as mental health crisis teams and emergency departments
preparing information sheets with signs and tips for people to self-manage symptoms
having a place for a duty worker for first contact/walk-in callers.
Many services have already or are implementing these.
The Ministry is working with the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT) to monitor impacts
on treatment services. The Ministry will assist NCAT with information for the treatment sector, and NCAT
will keep the Ministry informed of issues raised by the sector.
What you can expect to see if someone is going through
withdrawal from psychoactive substances
Don’t assume what you’re seeing is withdrawal. Depending on your relationship and the situation, ask the
person if they have been using psychoactive substances, if so what they have been using, how much, how
often, when they stopped and if they want help.
Many people going through withdrawal are likely to be agitated, depressed, and irritable. Other common
symptoms include nausea, nightmares and sleep problems and loss of appetite. For some, symptoms may
be more extreme. A person may be behaving more aggressively or their mental health may deteriorate
significantly.
Advice for Addiction Treatment Services: Psychoactive substances
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Withdrawal can cause symptoms that could last for several weeks or even months.
What you should do if patients need assistance
Familiarise yourself with Matuaraki Withdrawal Management Guidelines.
These guidelines offer substantial assistance for withdrawal management and medications to treat
withdrawal symptoms:
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http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/library/matuaraki/substance-withdrawal-management-guidelinesfor-addiction-and-allied-practitioners
http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/library/matuaraki/substance-withdrawal-management-guidelinesfor-medical-and-nursing-practitioners
http://www.matuaraki.org.nz/library/matuaraki/managing-your-own-withdrawal-a-guide-forpeople-trying-to-stop-using-drugs-and-or-alcohol
Many people may simply need reassurance that the symptoms will end, or advice about where to get more
information. Some may need to seek support from their health professional and/or family on a near daily
basis until they feel OK.
For a person seeking help after hours, they can also get assistance from the Alcohol Drug helpline 0800
787 797.
If people are experiencing withdrawal and feel worried, unsafe or vulnerable, or they have concerns about
someone else experiencing withdrawal, they can also call the free, 24-hour Healthline 0800 611 116 to
speak to a registered nurse.
If suicidal ideation is apparent and or the patient has a history of suicidality or low mood
refer to your local mental health crisis service (contact your local hospital/DHB) or the
nearest emergency department for assessment.
More information
The Ministry of Health website has information that can be downloaded for you to hand out:
www.health.govt.nz/pshelp
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800787 797 and www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/
NZ Drug Foundation: www.drugfoundation.org.nz/synthetic-cannabinoids/what-they-are
For youth specific information useful sites include:
The Lowdown: www.thelowdown.co.nz
Altered High - Auckland Youth Alcohol and Drug Service provides information, support and links to other
drug and alcohol support services: http://alteredhigh.com
HP5880
May 2014
Advice for Addiction Treatment Services: Psychoactive substances
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