Addiction at the Bedside: Intoxication, Withdrawal, and Pain

You’ll learn: How pupil size, respirations, vital signs, skin findings, and behavior help reveal common toxidromes Why routine urine drug screens may miss fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids, and other emerging substances How physical dependence differs from addiction—and why undertreated pain must not be dismissed as “drug-seeking” What causes opioid rebound, the stimulant crash, and the escalating kindling effect of alcohol withdrawal Why severe stimulant agitation requires rapid team-based management and careful restraint decisions Why prescribed methadone or buprenorphine is generally continued during hospitalization while acute pain is treated separately Which subtle behaviors may signal medication diversion or impairment among healthcare colleagues 👉 Watch the video on Super Nurse Comics The central lesson: Treat the patient in front of you—not a label, assumption, or negative screening result. Subscribe to The Super Nurse Podcast and visit Super Nurse Comics on YouTube for more comic-based nursing education. This content is for education and does not replace clinical judgment, facility protocols, toxicology consultation, or guidance from the treating medical team. The content presented in The Super Nurse Podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The host and creators are not responsible for any clinical decisions made based on this content. Always adhere to your institution’s policies and consult appropriate healthcare professionals when making patient care decisions.