Alcohol and drug abuse, within the general population, costs the taxpayers over £36 billion pounds a year in terms of treatment, lost productivity and ill health. When this is mixed with a long-term condition such as diabetes it can have a major effect on the person’s ability to self care.

This presentation will examine our own perceptions about substance misuse. It will explore the effect that alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use has on the glycaemic control as well as the ability to preform self-care behaviours and give some information about ensuring people with diabetes are being safe should they choose to undertake this behaviour.

Learning outcomes:

Following this session you should be able to:

• List the differences between the effects of Halluginogenics, Uppers and Downers
• List some examples of the above substances
• Describe some advice which you can share with people with diabetes who choose to use these substances to keep them safe
• Signpost people who choose to misuse substances to appropriate information and advice.