Drug Abuse and Dependence
When to Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you or someone else:
- Has used or currently uses drugs and is having a hard time waking up or can't stay awake.
- Has abused a child or partner when using drugs.
- Has overdosed or has withdrawal signs. Be sure to tell the emergency workers that you or someone else is using or trying to quit using drugs. Overdose or withdrawal signs may include:
- Vomiting that doesn't stop, or vomiting blood.
- A fever higher than 102°F (38.9°C).
- Breathing more than 25 breaths a minute, or shortness of breath, such as gasping for air.
- A heart rate over 120 beats a minute even when you are trying to calm down.
- Sudden chest pain or severe stomach pain.
- Seizure.
- Shaking and chills.
- Passing out.
- Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations).
- Violent behavior, such as picking fights, harming yourself, or destroying property.
- Being very confused, such as not knowing where you are.
Call your doctor if:
- Drug use is harming your relationships.
- You often drive or operate machinery when using drugs.
- You have missed work or school because of drug use.
- Your family or friends have asked you to stop using drugs, or you feel you should.
- You use drugs or have used drugs and think you are pregnant.
- You say or do things while using drugs that you feel bad about.
- You have tried to stop using drugs but could not.
Who can treat a drug problem?
Health professionals who can diagnose, prescribe medicine for, and treat drug abuse problems include:
- General practitioners.
- Psychiatrists.
- Physician assistants.
- Nurse practitioners.
- Psychologists and drug counselors. These professionals cannot prescribe medicine.
Counseling usually is part of treatment. This can be done by:
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next.
Watchful waiting is not a good choice for drug abuse and dependence. If you have a drug problem, or if you believe that your health or other areas of your life are being affected by drugs, you need to take steps to stop using drugs.
Watchful waiting also is not a good choice if you or other people are being hurt by another person's drug use. It is important to seek help for yourself and other people, even if the person who is using drugs does not seek treatment. Early treatment for all people affected by drug use makes recovery more likely.
If you have concerns about your drug use or the drug use of some you care about, talk to your doctor.
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| Author: | Paul Lehnert Ryan Powers | Last Updated: February 15, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine James R. McKay, PhD - Psychology | |
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