What's ETOH?

It is so important to know the signs of W/D

You just do not want to see it.

We have the CIWA scale.  The problem is that they use that for drugs too.  I didnt think you could use that for drugs.  A large number of the patient we treat are admitted drug users.  It is important that we know the S/S of withdraw for all drugs.  I hate hearing that patient is being difficult but with just looking in the chart you see that they admitting use drugs.  They are not difficult they are going though withdraws.  We need to able to know the difference and start treating the problem.  The reality is that they are not going to stop using and when they leave the hospital they will use agian,  But we can certainly make the stay more comfortable for them and us.  Knowledge is power.  I am currently seeking info on the withdraw symptoms of illegal drugs so that I can start making there stay better for them and me.  There is nothing worse then ignoring the underlining problem.  I know that we cant stop them but we can offer the help and be more proactive in our assessments and knowledge. 

CIWA can be used for benzos as benzos act on the bodily systems the same as ETOH. That is why benzos are used for detox. For opiate withdrawl, they should be using COWA

What about cocaine and heroine.  That seems to be the drug of choose that the hopsital I work for.  These patients dont play around they go for the hard stuff. 

Heroin is an opiate so you would use the COWA. you would use this as well for Lortab, Oxyconton, Perxocet, etc. For cocaine and meth we do not have anything yet like the CIWA or the COWA that I am aware of. WIth meth I usually prescribe benzos to bring them down.  

Dawn: I am going to add that info here for everyone:

Here is another one that you will find in the library that is pretty good.

How dopamine drives cocaine craving

Our office has set up a policy for our OB patients with drug and alcohol, we monitor those closely who continue to take drugs while pregnant and know the consequences once the baby is delivered.  We acutally have a pregnant patient come in last week, drunk, stumbling everywhere....she admitted to some alcohol abuse but never did we think she would come in that way. 

thanks cd I have 10 years clean and sober but this is the first I have heard of intnsa and CARN. We have a large recovery community here and this info is valuable to me.
AA NA lists and DE-tox centers are important tools for recovery... there may be people in recovery who will talk to or take the addict to their first meeting IF the addict is willing (try the # on the meeting list to get a volunteer)
Most addicts I know are afraid of 2 things Pain and de-toxing(due to emotional and physical pain).
re-assurance that you will work with them to find ways to help them through will help compliance during in patient stays