Where I live, the drug of choice is almost exclusively heroin. I am well versed in the treatment of heroin overdoses and the resources for those who use, as we have several per day on average. I've never dealt with a patient on bath salts, meth, crack, etc. , at least to my knowledge. I'm getting ready to relocate to a different region and i'm realizing I may have to educate myself on other presentations for other substances! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by Alisonisayoshi, LVN Alisonisayoshi is a LVN and specializes in LTC. 547 Posts; 11,154 Profile Views Meth and Norco. Loads of both. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by offlabel 1 Follower; 1,319 Posts; 12,294 Profile Views Hands down...alcohol. The most deadly too. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by mindofmidwifery, ADN mindofmidwifery is a ADN and specializes in ICU Stepdown. 1,419 Posts; 14,765 Profile Views Heroin and alcohol 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by mindofmidwifery, ADN mindofmidwifery is a ADN and specializes in ICU Stepdown. 1,419 Posts; 14,765 Profile Views Opioids 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by Altra, BSN, RN Altra is a BSN, RN and specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU. 6,255 Posts; 40,447 Profile Views You're right that it is very region-dependent. Here in the urban northeast, it's heroin, alcohol, and a fair amount of crack and other forms of cocaine. We saw lots of "bath salts" and other synthetic hallucinogens a few years ago ... less so now. Drug of choice is highly variable to age/demographics, as well. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by AZQuik 224 Posts; 3,496 Profile Views We have cycles but alcohol, heroin, spice/meth/cocaine seem to be the most common, in that order. Every once in a while someone comes in complaining of dry mouth, rapid heart rate, and generally feeling "weird" after eating some kind of marijuana edible. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 5, 2016 by LightMyFire LightMyFire has 3+ years experience. 137 Posts; 3,648 Profile Views Opioids and meth. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 6, 2016 by Pat_Pat RN Pat_Pat RN has 8 years experience and specializes in ER, Med/Surg. 472 Posts; 8,972 Profile Views Lots of heroin and spice causing "seizures". 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 6, 2016 by Lev, BSN, RN Lev has 7 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in Emergency - CEN. 2 Followers; 9 Articles; 2,802 Posts; 55,919 Profile Views Lots of heroin and spice causing "seizures". Spice actually can cause seizures. We've had a couple that ended up intubated. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 6, 2016 by SquishyRN, BSN, RN SquishyRN has 8 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in ER, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC. 507 Posts; 16,409 Profile Views Alcohol, meth, cocaine, and opioids in that order. I've had ecstasy, benzos, and bath salts a couple of times. Haven't had a single patient for spice though. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 6, 2016 by canigraduate 3 Articles; 2,107 Posts; 35,254 Profile Views There's a run of spice going through Phoenix. We also have heroin and meth. Lots of alcohol abusers. They outnumber the rest, I'd say, 10:1. We have a few prescription abusers that like to hang out in OBS until they can get their prescriptions refilled on Monday. They always run out on Friday after 5:00, somehow. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
