Within a matter of hours, Karen’s blood pressure is sky high and she is vomiting.  Her stomach and her head are in excruciating pain and she can barely think.  The doctors and nurses taking care of her cannot understand why her blood pressure cannot be brought under control or why she is suffering from severe abdominal pain.  Within 24 hours, Karen is in intensive care fighting for her life.  It is only when a friend confides about Karen’s substance abuse that her condition can be brought under control.

Unfortunately, similar situations occur over and over again in the hospital setting.  People who drink regularly or abuse not just illegal drugs, but prescription drugs as well suffer the severe symptoms of withdrawal because they refuse to admit their habits.

Personally, I love the patient that tells me on admission that he or she is a regular user of drugs or alcohol.  We can immediately implement a protocol that can keep that patient comfortable while addressing his or her withdrawal symptoms.  Those patients can then be safely treated for the disorder that brought them into the hospital in the first place without withdrawal symptoms complicating the picture.

 If you are a friend or relative of a substance abuser who is admitted to the hospital, please do not hesitate to inform the staff about the abuse.  You may be instrumental in saving the person’s life.  If you are a substance abuser, please keep in mind that the medical staff is far more interested in providing proper treatment for withdrawal than they are concerned about your personal life.  Seizures and cardiac arrest can occur if withdrawal is not properly treated.

Substance abuse is far more than a psycho-social problem.  While the medical community strives to provide information and services to help the addicted confront their substance abuse, sudden withdrawal such as occurs when hospitalization is necessary, is a huge medical problem.

Please tell the medical staff about your substance abuse.  We truly wish to holistically care for you by implementing a safe, comfortable medical protocol.