Substance Use in Adolescents: Recognition and Management in the Emergency Department (Controlled Substances CME and Pharmacology CME)

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• Assess all intoxicated adolescents for injuries, as the patient may not be able to communicate these reliably.
• Adolescents can use illicit substances to self-harm, and drug use in self-harm attempts should be considered.
• Consult with a local Poison Control Center early to help target interventions. Local Poison Control Centers and toxicologists can aid in the identification of substances used and can help with management.
• Drug use and overdose can present with a variety of substance-specific signs and symptoms. (See Appendix 1.)