Management of the hospitalized injection drug user

Patients with a history of injected drug use are often distrustful of the medical system. This attitude is generally based on problems in the management of pain or withdrawal or on hostility from medical providers in the past. When treated with respect and appropriate medical concern, hospitalized injection drug users will often actively seek to begin recovery from drug use. Identifying injection drug use is the first step in providing appropriate care. Assessing and systematically addressing key management issues allows the provider to care for the hospitalized injection drug user effectively. The well-trained provider can be a significant catalyst for behavior change in the addicted population.