COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Provide Services to Clients Intoxicated by AOD course. This program is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively support and manage clients who are intoxicated, ensuring their safety and well-being while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in assessing intoxication levels, providing necessary support, and implementing strategies to handle challenging situations.

We begin with an exploration of the legal and ethical considerations in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) work, focusing on how these considerations are applied within organisations and individual practice. Understanding these principles is crucial for ensuring that your actions are compliant with laws and uphold ethical standards.

Next, we will discuss the various contexts in which interactions with intoxicated persons may take place, such as community service settings, emergency shelters, and outreach programs. Recognising the signs and symptoms of alcohol and/or drug use is essential for assessing the level of intoxication and determining the appropriate course of action.

We will cover ways to assess intoxication and/or drug use levels, including observing behavioural and physical indicators. Understanding concurrent medical illnesses that may mimic or mask withdrawal symptoms is also important for accurate assessment and appropriate intervention.

Strategies for dealing with aggressive and potentially violent clients will be explored, including protective and risk management strategies to ensure the safety of both the client and the service provider. Additionally, we will discuss types of daily living assistance that may be provided to intoxicated clients to support their immediate needs.

Available support services and resources play a critical role in the care of intoxicated clients. We will cover how to identify and access these resources to provide comprehensive support to clients.

Practical application of skills will include assessing the level of intoxication and the nature and extent of alcohol and/or drug use, reporting any behaviour or physical status inconsistent with substance use to appropriate personnel, and seeking assistance when necessary. You will learn to identify the need for first aid and seek assistance from health professionals as required.

Providing a safe and secure environment for clients to sober up or come down is crucial. You will learn to monitor the client's physical state regularly to ensure their health and safety, accurately document the services provided, and maintain a calm and confident manner in all interactions.

Conducting interactions with clients in a fair, just, humane, and positive manner is essential for building trust and effectively managing the situation. You will use strategies identified in the organisation's response plan to maintain the safety of the client, yourself, and others, and provide services in line with infection control guidelines.

Following established procedures to seek emergency assistance and assisting clients with activities of daily living are key components of this course. You will also learn to provide information on AOD issues and the availability of support services, contact families and/or support networks at the client's request, and assess if the client represents a risk to themselves or others by leaving the facility.

By the end of this course, you will be well-prepared to work with intoxicated clients in community services, ensuring their safety and well-being while maintaining professional and ethical standards.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCAOD002.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

Section A: Knowledge

·       Legal and ethical considerations in AOD work, and how they are applied in organisations and individual practice

·       Contexts in which interactions with intoxicated persons may take place

·       Signs and symptoms of alcohol and/or drug use

·       Ways to assess intoxication and/or drug use level/s

·       Concurrent medical illnesses which may mimic/mask withdrawal

·       Strategies for dealing with aggressive and potentially violent clients, including protective/risk management strategies

·       Types of daily living assistance that may be provided

·       Available support services and resources

Section B: Performance Tasks

Identifying and Assessing AOD Intoxication

• Understanding intoxication signs and varying presentations
• Differentiating effects of alcohol, stimulants, depressants, opioids and poly-drug use
• Recognising medical emergencies vs intoxication symptoms
• Using organisation-approved tools for assessing intoxication levels

Assessing Level of Intoxication and Nature of Use

• Observing behavioural, physical and cognitive signs
• Asking appropriate, non-confrontational questions
• Identifying indicators of high-risk or unknown substance use
• Recording observations accurately and objectively

Reporting Concerning Behaviour or Physical Presentation

• Recognising red flags not consistent with AOD intoxication
• Escalating concerns to clinical staff or supervisors
• Seeking assistance when clients deteriorate or present atypically
• Documenting and communicating concerns in line with policy

Identifying First Aid Needs and Seeking Medical Support

• Recognising overdose, respiratory depression, seizures or medical distress
• Administering first aid within scope of practice
• Contacting health professionals or ambulance services
• Following emergency protocols for opioid overdose (e.g., naloxone use)

Providing a Safe and Secure Environment for Recovery

• Setting up safe spaces for sobering up/coming down
• Minimising stimuli and environmental risks
• Ensuring client privacy and dignity
• Managing others accessing the same environment

Monitoring Client Physical State Regularly

• Conducting routine observations (breathing, consciousness, mobility)
• Identifying changes that require urgent escalation
• Maintaining ongoing communication with the client
• Understanding the risks of delayed medical consequences

Documenting Services Provided Accurately

• Recording observations, interventions and timelines
• Maintaining factual, professional and defensible notes
• Documenting client behaviours without judgemental language
• Meeting organisational, legal and clinical documentation standards

Maintaining a Safe, Calm and Confident Approach

• Using a calm tone and non-threatening body language
• Communicating respectfully with distressed or confused clients
• Managing aggression or agitation with de-escalation skills
• Maintaining rapport while enforcing safety boundaries

Using Approved Strategies to Prevent Harm

• Applying strategies from organisational response plans
• Using de-escalation, diversion, and low-arousal techniques
• Ensuring safe positioning and exit access for staff
• Implementing procedures that protect client, staff and others

Managing Infection Control When Providing AOD Services

• Following PPE, hygiene and contamination protocols
• Minimising infection risks during close contact
• Responding appropriately to body fluids or contamination
• Applying relevant public health and organisational guidelines

Seeking Emergency Assistance When Required

• Recognising situations that require urgent medical help
• Contacting emergency services effectively and quickly
• Providing accurate client information during escalation
• Supporting the client until help arrives

Assisting Clients With Immediate Daily Living Needs

• Supporting hydration, food, mobility and personal comfort
• Providing safe assistance without enabling harmful behaviour
• Maintaining dignity during personal care support
• Identifying when clients require medical rather than support care

Providing Information on AOD Issues and Support Services

• Communicating risks associated with AOD use clearly
• Offering harm-reduction advice in a non-judgmental manner
• Linking clients to detox, counselling, withdrawal and rehab services
• Respecting client readiness and stage of change

Supporting Communication With Families and Networks

• Contacting family/support persons at the client’s request
• Maintaining confidentiality and consent requirements
• Managing risks when involving family in crisis situations
• Following organisational policy for support network communication

Assessing Client Safety Prior to Leaving the Facility

• Evaluating physical, cognitive and behavioural readiness to leave
• Identifying risk to self or others if discharged prematurely
• Following policies for clients who may require extended monitoring
• Documenting assessment outcomes and decisions

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.