Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder, but most patients with AUD do not receive evidence-based medications for AUD (MAUD), including naltrexone or acamprosate. Inpatient addiction consult services (ACS) may offer an opportunity to start medical treatment for hospitalized patients with AUD, but it is unknown if ACS are associated […]

Background: Unlike other chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease, substance use disorder (SUD) has only recently been recognized by the medical community recently as a medical condition, and stigmatizing beliefs have lingered. Formal teaching about SUD has been shown to foster a more positive attitude towards these patients among medical trainees. Attitudes […]

Background: In the US, Marijuana is the most used substance, with 18% of the population having tried it at least once. Its use is steadily increasing and stands at a staggering 43% amongst college-aged adults. Marijuana has been known as a self-coping means for anxiety. The recent increase in marijuana use and its effect on […]

Background: Over the last few years, the USA has seen a sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) and related acute illnesses. The clinical course of many hospitalized patients is impacted by their diagnosis of SUD. At our institution, we put in place an inpatient addiction service where a physician […]

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old male with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD) was admitted after being found down secondary to heroin overdose. He was given 4 mg naloxone in the field with improvement in Glasgow Coma Score from 3 to 12. After naloxone administration, he was tachycardic, tachypneic, hypertensive, and agitated. He reported taking […]

Case Presentation: A 43-year-old woman with general anxiety disorder and benzodiazepine abuse was brought to the emergency department by her husband with nausea, diarrhea, agitation, and altered mental status. She also endorsed restlessness and muscle tension. Examination revealed an agitated, disoriented woman with three days of amnesia. Vitals signs were within normal limits. Drug and […]