Clinical Presentation: Non-medical use of drugs, i.e. any use of drugs for other than recognized therapeutic purposes. Commonly abused drugs include, marijuana, diazepam, alcohol etc.
Drug associated problems can be divided into:
a) Individual problems
• periods of black out
• argumentative bouts
• less productivity
• withdrawn/depressed
(b) Sociale-cultural
• marriage difficulties
• problems on the job
(c) Social-legal
• driving related problems
• conflicts with others
• violence versus members of the society
Treatment guidelines
• Supportive therapy, e.g I.V. fluids, chlorpromazine for acute confusional state
• Management of acute problems depends on the substance of abuse being identified.
• Rehabilitation.