Relapse or Crisis Encounter Note
Date and Nature of Presentation:
1 November 2024, 14:30. Patient self-presented to the clinic exhibiting signs of acute intoxication and distress, reporting a relapse after 3 months of sobriety. The acute event prompting review was a substance relapse involving multiple substances.
Substance Use:
Patient reported using crystal methamphetamine (tik) approximately 12 hours prior to presentation, estimated quantity of 0.5g, smoked. Also reported consuming 8 units of alcohol over a 4-hour period ending 2 hours prior to presentation. Triggers identified include recent job loss and an argument with his partner. Stressors related to financial difficulties and social isolation were also noted.
Risk Factors:
Identified risks include acute overdose risk due to polydrug use, impaired judgement, and potential for severe withdrawal given the recent alcohol and methamphetamine use. Patient denied suicidal ideation or attempts, aggression, or psychosis. No safeguarding concerns or risk to others were identified at this time.
Mental State:
Appearance: Dishevelled, poor hygiene, pupils dilated, tremulous.
Behaviour: Restless, agitated, irritable, poor eye contact.
Level of consciousness: Alert but disoriented to time.
Mood: Anxious, irritable.
Affect: Labile.
Thought content: Preoccupied with regret over relapse. No evidence of paranoia or hallucinations.
Insight: Partial insight into the impact of substance use but struggles with impulse control.
Judgement: Impaired, as evidenced by recent substance use.
Orientation: Oriented to person and place, disoriented to time.
Immediate Interventions:
* Medical stabilisation initiated: Vital signs monitored, offered oral rehydration.
* Brief counselling provided focusing on immediate safety and harm reduction strategies.
* Safety planning discussed, including securing a safe environment and identifying support persons.
* Engagement with family initiated to inform them of the situation and coordinate support.
Plan and Follow-Up:
* Referral to emergency department for comprehensive medical evaluation and acute withdrawal management due to polydrug use and potential complications.
* Discussion held regarding inpatient detoxification services; patient expressed openness to public sector rehabilitation.
* Follow-up appointment scheduled with community clinic addiction counsellor within 72 hours post-discharge from ED.
* Harm reduction measures discussed, including safer use practices and overdose prevention (naloxone education provided). Re-evaluation of mental state and withdrawal symptoms planned within 24 hours.
Relapse or Crisis Encounter Note
Date and Nature of Presentation:
[record date and time of encounter and describe the acute event prompting review (e.g. substance relapse, overdose, intoxication, acute withdrawal, psychiatric decompensation, violent or unsafe behaviour); include mode of presentation if mentioned (e.g. self-presented, EMS, SAPS, family, clinic referral)] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
Substance Use:
[document substances reportedly used or observed (e.g. alcohol, cannabis/dagga, methamphetamine/tik, nyaope, opioids, benzodiazepines), timing of last use, quantity if described, route of use, triggers or precipitating factors, and relevant contextual factors (e.g. stressors, social environment)] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
Risk Factors:
[record any identified risks including suicidality or suicidal ideation, recent attempts, overdose risk, severe withdrawal, aggression or violence, psychosis, impaired judgement, safeguarding concerns, homelessness, or risk to others] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
Mental State:
[document observed or reported mental state at the time of contact, including appearance, behaviour, level of consciousness, mood, affect, thought content (e.g. paranoia, hallucinations), insight, judgement, and orientation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
Immediate Interventions:
[list any immediate actions taken such as medical stabilisation, medication administration or changes, withdrawal management, brief counselling, safety planning, involvement of family, referral to emergency services, admission, or engagement with social work or SAPS] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
Plan and Follow-Up:
[record agreed next steps including referral to emergency department, inpatient admission, detox or rehabilitation services (public or private), community clinic follow-up, NGO or outreach referral, harm reduction measures, and timing or location of planned re-evaluation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual note or clinical note; otherwise, omit completely.)
(Never come up with your own patient details, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation, or plan for continuing care – use only the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note as a reference for the information to include in your note. If any information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, you must not state the information has not been explicitly mentioned in your output; just leave the relevant placeholder or omit the placeholder completely. Use as many lines, paragraphs, or bullet points as needed to capture all the relevant information from the transcript.)