14.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Assess patients for intoxication, dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and/or substance use disorders and intervene as appropriate
- Apply the nursing process to patients experiencing withdrawal or toxicity from substances
- Provide care and/or support patients with nonsubstance-related dependencies (e.g., gambling, sexual addiction)
- Describe the neurobiology and risk factors for substance use disorders
- Apply the nursing process to patients with substance use disorders
- Describe protective factors and prevention programs for substance use disorders
- Outline evidence-based treatments for patients with substance use disorders
- Discuss recovery services for patients with substance use disorders
- Evaluate patient’s response to a treatment plan and revise as needed
- Provide patient education to clients and their family members
Nurses in all settings will encounter patients who misuse alcohol, illicit substances, and prescription medications. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) estimates that over half of U.S. citizens age 12 or older have used illicit drugs at least once in their lifetimes and one person dies every 52 minutes due to accidents involving driving while intoxicated[1]. Misuse of substances affects people of all ages and backgrounds and is extremely costly in terms of overdose deaths, motor vehicle accidents, missed work, crime, and healthcare utilization. This chapter will provide an overview of many topics related to substance use, including signs of intoxication of various psychoactive substances and treatment for overdose and withdrawal symptoms. The neurobiology of substance use disorders and risk factors are explored, and then evidence-based treatment and prevention interventions are discussed. Finally, the nursing process is applied to a hospitalized patient receiving treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2025). Drug abuse statistics. National Center on Drug Abuse Statistics. drugabusestatistics.org ↵
