Patient's drug of choice-all of them?

*edited because I'm an idiot*

If at least one medical surgical nurse could be on shift at the psychiatric units, maybe THAT is where these patients could be after they get out of the ICU. Repeated medical treatment for the chronic OD'rs usually doesn't help their real problem, addiction. Until of course, they have become so brain damaged they can't seek drugs anymore and have to live their lives as a little child.
I think that is a good idea, send them away with scripts for only a couple days, and send them away with a PCP and or psychiatric appointment already made.
What're ya gonna do? If they say they are in pain, we have to pretend they are and give them the meds until they score as dangerously obtunded on the pain flow sheet.

The most common OD I've seen thus far is from acetaminophen and antidepressants

And those are SO lethal..... Saw several of the APAP teen girls = and one did die; liver crapped out.

The real addicts are going to OD d/t being gorked before the needle comes out of their arm, and topping it off. The "anything in the medicine cabinet" drama -screamers are going to find something to end their suffering over the 15 year old boy who dumped them

True junkies- 72 hour holds in detox beds (harm to self or others).

Dramatic teenage girls (and a few boys), need a life, not drugs. IMO. Inpatient psych for their happy butts- in case there is something going on that she/he won't disclose.

Someone with acute pain - refer to pain management with a 3 day supply (and have some sort of arrangement with a specific pain management doc w/ED.... get in within 3 days. If they KEEP missing appointments, and come back for a refill, NO).

But w/poll question- not a yes/no--depends on situation and actual risk/drug being considered.

I think (correct me if I put the wrong words in their mouth) the OP is talking about ODing on meds that you would not think of as meds someone would use to try and OD. The OP gave the example of a beta blocker...not exactly the type of drug a "thrill seeker" would take too many just for the fun of it (like a pain killer). Also, if they wanted to OD for the sake of harming themselves, I would think they could buy those drugs at the pharmacy (APAP, etc.). Anyway, I would think the doctor would have to treat the condition (hypertenson, for example) or they would need psychiatric help if the are unable to have the Rx. and have the risk of taking all the pills.

I would say that if a person is repeatedly overdosing on medications due to anxiety, then their anxiety is not being adequately addressed.

I think we, as a society, do a terrible job at managing mental illness. I think that someone as you describe needs a great deal of support and supervision, but the resources just aren't there.

It's sad, really.

I think that as things are in this day and age, the prescriber is really between a rock and a hard place.

I can't answer the poll question because I really think it is more complex than a simple yes or no.