Suspected Substance Withdrawal in Adolescents Clinical Pathway — Inpatient
Suspected Substance Withdrawal in Adolescents Clinical Pathway — Inpatient
Adolescent with Suspected Substance Withdrawal
This pathway guides the care of adolescents with suspected acute withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines and/or opioids with:
- Referral from outside hospitals, psychiatric inpatient units, or crisis response centers for suspected withdrawal
- Presence of unprescribed drugs noted during admission, during search of belongings
- Disclosed usage
- Positive urine drug screen for alcohol, benzodiazepine, or opioid
This pathway does not guide the care of inpatients treated with prolonged courses of benzodiazepines or opioids.
General Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal
Alcohol/Benzodiazepines | Opioids |
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Note: Withdrawal symptoms may present up to 72 hrs after last use |
Toxidromes and Substance Effects
Other Factors to Consider
- Iatrogenic benzodiazepine and/or opiate dependency
- Use WAT scoring tool to monitor — Job Aid for WAT Scoring
- PICU Sedation/Analgesia Weaning Pathway
- Pregnancy
- Toxidrome