Excessive and long term alcohol and intravenous drug use, particularly if injected into the lower limbs, can result in chronic wounds, infection, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and lead to amputation; all of which carry significant financial impacts on the health care system and serious implications for the individual.
Community based podiatrists can assess vascular and neurological status within the lower limbs and identify any early and subtle changes in these areas as a result of substance use outside of a hospital setting.
Early intervention and education in a community setting from allied health professionals has previously been overlooked in the harm reduction space, but is a move to ‘share the load’ in reducing stigma, improving quality of life, and costs across the health care system.