Acute Management of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: A Review

Abstract

A variety of intoxication and withdrawal syndrome cases commonly present to the emergency department and are brought to the attention of the consultation-liaison psychiatrist. The most common intoxication and withdrawal syndromes seen in this setting include alcohol, stimulants, opioids, and cannabinoids. After completion of an appropriate medical evaluation and assessment of the particular intoxication or withdrawal syndrome, effective treatment methods for these disorders can be applied with good outcomes in many cases. Knowledge of these common syndromes allows the consultation-liaison psychiatrist to provide these proven treatment methods, improving patient morbidity and mortality associated with these syndromes. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2017;47(4):192–199.]