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What Are Steps Taken After Treatment For Heroin Overdose?
If someone is taken to the hospital with a heroin overdose after the doctors have removed the drug from the body and the patient has regained consciousness what procedures will the doctor take if any? will the patient be held for evaluation or free to leave directly after?
Thu, 9 Jun 2016
Varies. First, the drug isn't removed from the system. THere is a short acting blocker (naloxone) that stops the effect of the drug but does not remove heroin from the body. Because the duration of action of naloxone is far less than heroin, it has to be administered more than once or the overdose comes back. Surprisingly, this is overlooked frequently.
Then withdrawal occurs for 1-2 weeks after stopping heroin. While many medications can help this, some require a special license and all take time. It is rare for the hospital to bother.
Sometimes the patient is held for psychiatric evaluation. sometimes the hospital staff will set up for addiction treatment and management. Not often though for either.
Then withdrawal occurs for 1-2 weeks after stopping heroin. While many medications can help this, some require a special license and all take time. It is rare for the hospital to bother.
Sometimes the patient is held for psychiatric evaluation. sometimes the hospital staff will set up for addiction treatment and management. Not often though for either.
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