About this toolkit

The development of the Working with People at Risk of Harm from Cocaine Use Guidance is part of the work plan of the Medicated Assisted Treatment – Substitute Prescribing Management Group (MAT SPMG), NHS GG&C Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services (ADRS) Care Governance Subgroup.

Members involved in the development of the guidance comprised of experts from a range of disciplines. These included doctors, pharmacists and psychologists from ADRS and representatives from residential services, Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) Services and the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) Peer Research and Engagement Services.

A key stage in the development of the guidance involved peer volunteers and people with lived or living experience to assist in identifying the particular areas to focus on. By involving individuals with peer, lived and living experience it allowed for a greater understanding of cocaine use and associated issues. This voluntary involvement was greatly appreciated and a crucial stage in the development of the guidance.

In acknowledging the many people who have contributed directly and indirectly to this work, we would particularly like to thank the following:

Dr Katie Browne (Senior Medical Officer, ADRS)

Dr Beate Beck-Schwahn (Consultant Psychiatrist, ADRS)

Dr Peter Brennan (Principal Clinical Psychologist, ADRS)

John Campbell (IEP Improvement Manager, ADRS)

Dr Anna Fletcher (Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist, ADRS)

Stephanie Hartley (Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, ADRS)

Amanda King (Research & Care Governance Assistant, ADRS)

Katy MacLeod (Peer Research & Inclusion Programme Manager, SDF)

Karen Rowell (Advanced Pharmacist Independent Prescriber, GADRS)

Knowledge Services, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

Adult Mental Health & Addictions Service Shared Guidance and Specification for Interface Working March 2021.

Crew.scot. 2022. Crew 2000 – Mind altering. [online] Available at: https://www.crew.scot/ [Accessed 10 February 2022].

Darke, S., Kaye, S., McKetin, R. and Duflou, J., 2007. Physical and psychological harms of psychostimulant use. National Drug and Alcohol Research Center.

Drug Related Deaths in Scotland in 2020. National Records of Scotland. 30th July 2021.

Fitzpatrick, J., 2022. Shared Protocol for Learning Disability & Mental Health Interface Working.

Havakuk, O., Rezkalla, S.H. and Kloner, R.A., 2017. The cardiovascular effects of cocaine. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 70(1), pp.101-113.

Network, N.P.T.U., 2015. Guidance on the clinical management of acute and chronic harms of club drugs and novel psychoactive substances. NEPTUNE, London.

NHS Lothian Quality Prescribing Group Substance Misuse Directorate Good Practice Guidance: Prescribing Opiate Substitution Therapy (OST) for Opiate Dependent Individuals also Using Stimulants A Fletcher, A Hart, M Kehoe, C Miller,  I Scott, J Smith May 2019.

Perper, J.A. and Thiel, D.H.V., 1992. Respiratory complications of cocaine abuse. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, pp.363-377.

Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse. Psychostimulant Working Group. Substance Misuse Division, 2002. Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse: Psychostimulant Working Group Report. Scottish Executive.

Strang, J. and Independent Expert Working Group, 2017. Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management.

The MyPsych – Cocaine toolkit (“App”) is intended as an educational and clinical reference resource. The App is intended for use by healthcare professionals (a) working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, legally known as Greater Glasgow Health Board (the “Board”), and/or (b) working for any health and social care partnership in the Board’s area. In addition, the App may be used by appropriately qualified or trained staff working within the wider healthcare and social care sectors in Scotland. The information contained in the App provides guidance and related information to support the clinical management of individuals affected by cocaine and related substance use. Users should note that that the guidance within the App will not be suitable for every situation and is not intended to be a substitute for specialist expertise and clinical judgement. 

The App is not intended for use by the general public and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Members of the public should seek advice directly from their healthcare provider.  The App includes access to some national guidelines and information resources. 

 The content of the App is specific to the Board and may not be applicable to other local healthcare areas or practices. While the Board makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the information accessed via the App is correct, the App is provided ‘as is’ and the Board does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the material accessed via the App. The Board may make changes to the App at any time without notice. Some of the material accessed via the App may be out of date, and the Board makes no commitment to update such material.  Where the App contains links to other sites and or resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for information only. The Board has no control over and no liability in respect of the content of these sites and resources. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the App is made available by the Board on the basis that the Board excludes all representations, warranties, conditions and other terms (including, without limitation, the conditions implied by law of satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and the use of reasonable care and skill) which, but for this disclaimer, might have effect in relation to the App. 

Users assume all responsibility for using the information accessed via the App.