Using the ER to get high

Specialties Emergency

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Ever wonder about some of the folks who come into the ER for recreational drugs? Wouldn't it be educational to have a frank conversation with them, in which they were honest? Of course, that isn't going to happen. But, it turns out it is entirely possible to listen in on conversations between them- at least figuratively.

A big part of what we do is give people mind altering drugs. Some (probably most) have therapeutic value to the patient, and help them. But we don't really know what happens to the rest. If you are curious, just ask the end users.

Turns out, they do their homework. Amateur chemists/pharmacists. Many of the drugs we give out are, of course, swallowed. The rest are snorted , smoked , shot IV, taken IM, or even put up the old caboose .

To understand these links, it's helpful to know a bit about the online drug use culture. They avoid self incrimination by using euphemisms: SWIM = Somebody Who Isn't Me. Or AFOF = A friend Of a Friend. Or they might say "the other day my dog tried smoking tramadol..."

Below are some quotes and associated links. I encourage anybody interested in the subject to peruse these forums.

As ER nurses, we are a significant part of the supply chain. May as well get a realistic view as to where some of this stuff goes.

Where i work, it is common for us to give narcotics to known and obvious drug abusers. By "known", I mean folks who have a documented hx of abuse. By "obvious", I mean folks who meet the DEA description: Common Characteristics of the Drug Abuser:

Some intersecting quotes and links:

I heard some stories people go into the Emergency room and say something like. i have been moving big things. shoving heavy gravel and tossing it being my back and now my back in going into spasms.

and they got a small shot dose shot of demeral and a small script of vicodin.

Ive never had insurance in years... anyone got any ideas on things to ***** to doctors and possibly get a one script of vicodin? because they cant bet too hard to get right. one year...i got an infected swollen tonsil after antibiotics they gave me 25 vikes and i woulda been find with out them. i have been through all more pain than that tonsil and got by fine..

http://zoklet.net/bbs/archive/index.php/t-241124.html

we all know it's very difficult to walk in to a doc you've never seen before and talk your way into a script for pk's... almost impossible for some people... myself included... but i have discovered an EASY, GUARANTEED way to get them...

http://forum.opiophile.org/archive/index.php/t-3418.html

A combo of Soma and Hydro is MINDBLOWING. It actually stupifies my limbs. I feel a super rush and a drunken feeling w/ a little anxiety

http://forum.opiophile.org/archive/index.php/t-27174.html

OK, i've been reading different threads, and hearing "oh, i just left the ER with 60 dilaudid" etc etc. So, I've hit a couple spots to try and score some good drugs, and all i end up with is hydro, or codeine. I'm at a point where I'm about to not have any insurance for a little while, and I want to try one more time. (Sorry if this post ****** anyone off, but hey, I'm a junkie and I'm just trying to maintain.)

So, my question to anyone who might have some advice is: What should i tell the doc? Will fake kidney pain/stones work well if i drip some blood in my urine sample? Should i just go for bad neck/shoulder pain? My original horrible toothache story obviously isn't working. What are some good "unprovable" ailments that will get me some legit opies? Thanks in advance to any advice.

http://forum.opiophile.org/archive/index.php/t-15554.html

I urinated in a cup and afterwards pricked my finger and let a few droplets of blood mix with the ****... I was still expecting nothing and was expecting disappointment

That IV dilaudid every two hours is what popped my curiosity cherry about IV opiates. It was after that I tried shooting for the first time. Just a friendly warning.

Everytime dude needs $50 for this or $100 for that I keep telling him, "go get some happy pills from the hospital and flip 'em and use the money to pay your bills.

http://forum.opiophile.org/archive/index.php/t-19912.html

I am a DOCTOR shopper and i get narcotics from a million doctors by faking back pain and kidney stones...i just filled 20 lortab today....two days ago i got two shots of INTRAVENOUS dilaudid...what a rush!!! AND he gave me 30 extra strength 10mg percocets!!

http://www.experienceproject.com/confessions.php?cid=13134

I've gone to the ER with fake injuries, real injuries that I'd caused myself, and with narcotic withdrawal hoping to get some pity.

http://isitnormal.com/poll/have-you-ever-gone-to-the-er-just-to-get-drugs-105995/

You have to use different pharmacies that are not linked by a database. CVS and Walgreens are linked. Most grocery stores are linked. I cant find one dr to prescribe me pain meds so its not an issue anymore but in the past, my Every day DR was prescribing me and my pain management dr was prescribing me as well. I just used Walgreens with my insurance for one and Target claiming to have no insurance and paid cash. Their databases were not linked. Never use insurance if you are going to go to more than 1 place. A month of Hyd is like $22 at Target so its not like its expensive to not use insurance.

http://www.drugbuyersguide.net/index.php?/topic/1997-how-often-do-doctors-know-about-another-doctor-prescribing/

At the risk of stating the obvious, this post is not about legitimate drug use, chronic pain, etc. etc. I have over 15,000 hours in the ER. I get it.

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Specializes in Emergency.

We busted one tonight with the dea report. Doc hopping, c/o chronic back pain, appointment "tomorrow" with specialist who she couldn't remember name of.... Walked out when confronted.

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