Substance Abuse Evaluation

Aka: Substance Abuse Evaluation, Chemical Dependency Evaluation, Illicit Drug

1. See Also
   1. Chemical Dependency
   2. Drug Abuse in Adolescents
   3. Drug Abuse in Athletes
   4. Substance Abuse in Pregnancy
   5. Alcoholism Screening
2. Medical History
   1. Excessive habits
      1. Excessive coffee intake
      2. Excessive Tobacco use
      3. Excessive Alcohol use
   2. Exaggerates medical problems
   3. Simulates symptoms
   4. History of frequent injury and emergency care
      1. Trauma
      2. Burn Injury
      3. Fractures
   5. History of unusual infections
      1. Malaria
      2. Tetanus
      3. Hepatitis
   6. Generally debilitated
   7. Chronic disease refractory to medical management
      1. Poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus
      2. Poorly controlled Hypertension
3. Social History
   1. Repeated Driving While Intoxicated (DWI or DUI)
   2. Family History of Chemical Dependency
   3. Problems on the job or at school
      1. Frequent job changes
      2. Tardiness or absence from work
      3. Accidents at work
   4. Family problems
      1. Divorce
      2. Child Abuse or neglect
   5. Changes in friends or relationships
      1. Spending more time with drug and Alcohol users
4. Psychological History
   1. Mood disturbance (Major Depression or Anxiety Disorder)
   2. Suicidal thoughts
   3. Lack of Impulse control
   4. Thought disorders
   5. Sexual dysfunction
   6. Sleep disorders
5. Symptoms
   1. Increased Tolerance
   2. Gulping drinks
   3. Preoccupation with drinking
   4. Sneaks substance
   5. Loss of control
   6. Alibis (excuses for substance use)
   7. Avoiding reference (Hiding substance use)
   8. Previously "on the wagon"
   9. Reproof or Confrontation about substance use
   10. Remorse about drinking and consequences
   11. Aggression
   12. Changing Substance use pattern
       1. Avoid consequence
       2. Escaping to other geographic area
   13. Resentments
       1. Blame for the Substance Abuse and consequences
   14. Maintains substance supply (Stashing away a supply)
   15. Prolonged Benders (Staying drunk for a while)
   16. Frequent Blackouts
   17. Attitude changes
       1. Apathy
       2. Blaming
       3. Anger
6. Signs
   1. Clinic Calls
      1. Demand to be seen immediately
      2. Usually a late Friday afternoon appointment
      3. Calls or presents after regular clinic hours
   2. Clinic Interaction
      1. Presenting complaints
         1. Low Back Pain
         2. Root canal
         3. Migraine Headache
         4. Ovarian Cysts
         5. Uncontrolled cough ("Needs codeine")
      2. Demands
         1. Must have a specific Narcotic drug right away
         2. Alternative non-Narcotics are not acceptable
            1. Other medications do not work
            2. Medication allergy
            3. Peptic Ulcer Disease
         3. Lost or stolen prescription
      3. Vague about medical history
         1. Traveling through town or visiting
         2. No primary medical provider
      4. Refuses lab tests or changes test (Blood in Urine)
7. Signs: Physical findings suggesting Chemical Dependency
   1. General findings
      1. Overt debilitation not related to medical problem
      2. Physical findings out of proportion to complaints
      3. Alcohol odor to breath
         1. Strong odor of mouthwash or after-shave may mask
   2. Eye findings
      1. See Eye Examination Signs of Chemical Dependency
   3. Nasal irritation (due to Cocaine inhalation)
   4. Cardiovascular changes
      1. Labile Hypertension
      2. Tachycardia
   5. Neurologic changes
      1. Unsteady gait
      2. Slurred speech
      3. Mild Tremor
      4. Inappropriate lapses in conversation
   6. Skin changes
      1. See Skin changes suggestive of chemical dependency
8. Labs: Screening
   1. Urine Toxicology Screening
   2. Findings Suggestive of excessive Alcohol intake
      1. Blood Alcohol (if acute intoxication suspected)
      2. Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) increased
      3. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) increased
      4. Carbohydrate-deficient Transferrin (CDT) increased
9. Labs: As indicated for comorbid conditions
   1. Urinalysis
   2. Complete Blood Count
   3. Syphilis Serology (VDRL, RPR)
   4. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Testing)
   5. Viral Hepatitis Screening
   6. Serum Chemistry
      1. Electrolytes with Calcium and Magnesium
      2. Glucose
      3. Renal Function Tests
         1. Blood Urea Nitrogen
         2. Creatinine
   7. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
   8. Stool Guaiac for occult blood
10. Management
    1. See Chemical Dependency Brief Counseling
    2. See Substance Abuse Aftercare
    3. See Chemical Dependency Resources
11. References
    1. Haverkos (1995) Am Fam Physician 52(7):2029
    2. Mersy (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(7):1529-32
    3. Westreich (1995) Postgrad Med 97(4):111-23