Opioid Addiction Stories – being on the front line of managing patients with opioid addiction
Opioid and heroin addiction is unfortunately all too common, and this addiction is mean. It changes people in a way that is almost incomprehensible. In my practice, I’m confronted every day with decision making that is influenced by addiction. That’s right – every day.
I was speaking with a colleague this week who treated a patient in the emergency department (ED) for vague symptoms of nausea and vomiting. One of the most basic fundamentals of treatment, in this case, is hydration. Hydration is typically accomplished through an IV. So the IV was started and the patient walked out of the ED. She just up and left. And then she came back.
In this case, the patient had run out of veins to shoot-up and came to the ED specifically to use their expertise to identify a vein. Who better than a trained phlebotomist to help you access your vein, right?
I know this conversation deviates a bit from our focus on foot and ankle care, but it’s an important conversation that needs to be shared. I’ll keep sharing stories in an effort to help readers understand the power of addiction. People are dying – good people. Let’s put this topic out in the light to help bring this epidemic of drug use to a close.
Jeff
Medical Advisor
Myfootshop.com
Updated 3-11-2021
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