cocaine addicts in ED

[animas]

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If you have a crack cocaine addict you are observing in the ED that you are ultimately not going to admit, is not agitated, is safe for discharge, and is not suicidal but dysphoric... do you ever medicate them before you let them go?

 

[billypilgrim37]

If you have a crack cocaine addict you are observing in the ED that you are ultimately not going to admit, is not agitated, is safe for discharge, and is not suicidal but dysphoric... do you ever medicate them before you let them go?

For what?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

For what?

And with what? 😕
And why?

 

[kugel]

If you mean, "do I ever Rx antidepressants to a cocaine addict?" the answer is yes, but rarely. If there is a pretty good history of depression during sober periods, then yes, sometimes I do Rx after we have had a talk about what it will/won't do, plus the usual Risks/Benefits/Side Effects. Even then, I sometimes tell the person to come back in a week or two to see the outpatient psychiatrist, and be prepared to give a clean sample. Those that do come back are at least willing to follow up.

 

[TexasPhysician]

More info needed OP

 

[fMRI]

And with what? 😕
And why?

I'd be inclined to dole out information,

1) say that I know what the problem is and name it, and that we offer help if s/he would like it s/he can always come back or to to [place], but this remains his/her decision and

2) add something like this:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellne...-veterinary-drug-levamisole/story?id=13902353

😱