Guidelines for the Management of Hospitalized Narcotic Addicts

  1. JOHN M. FULTZ, Jr., M.D.; and
  2. EDWARD C. SENAY, M.D.
  1. Chicago, Illinois

    Abstract

    Opiate-dependent patients who are hospitalized for medical, surgical, or obstetrical reasons require proper management of their addiction in addition to care of their presenting illness. Guidelines are offered for methadone support during hospitalization for the patient enrolled in a treatment program and for the street addict. The important clinical features of withdrawal reactions are outlined, and a method is presented for establishing an initial and supportive dose of methadone for street addicts. The use of analgesics in the addicted patient, the treatment of methadone overdose, and some problems in the management of mixed-drug abuse are discussed.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Department of Medicine, Cook County Hospital; the Departments of Community Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School; the Illinois Drug Abuse Program; and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago Medical School; Chicago, Illinois.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to John M. Fultz, Jr., M.D., Department of Medicine, Cook County Hospital, 1825 West Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612.

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    1. Ann Intern Med June 1, 1975 vol. 82 no. 6 815-818
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