14 June 2021

CNWL’s Club Drug Clinic today launches a web-based app for clinicians about the misuse of prescription drugs.

The misuse of prescription drugs is increasingly recognised as an emerging problem, but one that many clinicians poorly understand.

ATOMIC is a completely new, convenient and evidence-based learning intervention that improves the knowledge and confidence of front-line clinicians to identify, assess and manage acute and chronic harms caused by the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD).

Used without prescription and medical supervision, prescription medications can cause a range of harms including overdose and dependence. Sold by street dealers, through social media platforms or via internet sites, many illicit prescription medications are in fact counterfeit, further increasing their potential for harm.

The ATOMIC app is based on the most up to date research and follows the principles of continuous professional development (CPD). It is intended for any front-line staff who may come into contact with people misusing prescription medications and will be of particular interest to staff who are unfamiliar with the risks of medication misuse and may underestimate them. The app is free to use following a simple registration process and can be used on mobile phones, tablets or other devices. https://addiction-to-medication.org

The app has been piloted by staff in a range of services including substance misuse services, adult mental health, child and adolescent mental health, sexual health and gambling services, with very positive feedback.

Consultant Psychiatrist and Club Drug Clinic founder, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, said: “Through our Addiction to Online Medicine (AtOM) service we have seen first-hand the harms prescription medications can cause some people. Our new app will help address these harms by improving the confidence and competence of front-line staff in supporting people to recover from prescription medication related problems.”

Funding for the project was awarded by the Health Foundation, an independent charity, as part of its Innovating for Improvement programme, which aims to improve health and social care delivery through the redesign of processes, practices, services and models of delivery.

Gill Clayton, Programme Manager at The Health Foundation said: “Having funded the development of this mobile training app as part of our Innovating for Improvement award programme in 2019, it is great to see the app now available for use by the health workforce.

“This will make an important contribution to improving care by supporting clinicians to build their knowledge and competence in identifying, assessing and managing the misuse of medication by young people. We wish the ATOMIC team the very best with this vital work.”

The launch of the ATOMIC app comes with the sad news of the untimely death of the Head of CNWL’s Addictions Services, Jody Lombardini-Coleman, to whose memory this app is dedicated. Jody was 41.

CNWL Chief Executive Claire Murdoch said: “Jody worked with us for almost 20 years – working her way up from nurse to Service Director.  She was dedicated to improving healthcare for people grappling with substance misuse, a sometimes forgotten cohort of patients. This app is the kind of practical assistance for clinicians she liked to see; help to help. After consulting her family, we dedicate the app to her memory. She was the best of us”

Clinicians who want more details can contact either dima.abdulrahim@nhs.net or owen.bowdenjones@nhs.net.

Editors’ notes:

NEPTUNE is a clinical response to the emerging challenge of club drugs and novel psychoactive substances. http://neptune-clinical-guidance.co.uk/

The Addiction TO Medication Improving Care (ATOMIC) service is on  addiction-to-medication.org/