Information for the public
Who will provide my treatment and care?
Most treatments for psychosis and drug and/or alcohol use can be provided by mental health teams in your local community, rather than in hospital. Some people may be seen by an early intervention in psychosis service. Mental health teams can provide treatment for your psychosis and help you to control, reduce or stop your drug and/or alcohol use.
More than one healthcare professional will usually be involved in providing your treatment and care. This might include a psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, or a drug and/or alcohol worker. If you see more than one healthcare professional you should have a person organising your care (called a 'care coordinator'). Healthcare professionals should actively involve you in decisions about your care, identify your needs with you, and develop a care plan with you, which is reviewed regularly.
If you live in accommodation that has care staff on site, the staff should also help provide treatment for your psychosis and drug and/or alcohol use.
Your GP will be involved throughout your treatment and care to check your physical health (see taking care of your physical health).
For young people, child and adolescent mental health services and children's services should be involved.
Will I need to have treatment in hospital?
Some people with psychosis and a drug and/or alcohol problem need treatment in hospital. This may be because they need treatment for drug and alcohol use (such as detoxification), they are being treated under the Mental Health Act, or they have asked to be admitted to hospital. Young people with psychosis and a drug and/or alcohol problem may be admitted to hospital if there is risk they may harm themselves or others.
If you need treatment in hospital for drug and/or alcohol use, healthcare professionals should give you information about the hospital's rules about drug and/or alcohol use and how they can help you to stay drug and/or alcohol-free during your admission. When you arrive, healthcare professionals should check whether you are using drugs and/or alcohol and whether you are having withdrawal symptoms. You may be asked to have a blood or urine test as part of your assessment in hospital. Your agreement should be asked for before the test is carried out and your healthcare professional should tell you the results of any tests conducted.
If you have stopped using drugs or alcohol, or you have used them less, while in hospital, you should be warned of the risks of overdose if you start using drugs or alcohol again when you leave hospital. You should have a care coordinator who will organise any further treatment and care you may need in your local community.