Substance Abuse & Withdrawal at the Bedside

This episode explains the differences among intoxication, withdrawal, physical dependence, addiction, and substance use disorder. It then applies those concepts to alcohol, opioids, and stimulants so you can connect vital signs, pupil changes, behavior, timing, and patient history with the right nursing priorities. 👉 Watch the video on Super Nurse Comics 👉 Visit https://supernurse.ai for more practical nursing resources. You'll learn - Why intoxication and withdrawal often produce opposite clinical patterns - Early and severe signs of alcohol withdrawal, including seizures and delirium tremens - How CIWA scoring guides assessment and symptom-triggered treatment - Why benzodiazepines, thiamine, fluids, seizure precautions, and a low-stimulation environment may be anticipated - How opioid intoxication differs from opioid withdrawal—and why airway and respiratory status come first during overdose - Why stimulant withdrawal requires close mental health and suicide-risk monitoring - Warning signs of medication diversion or impairment in a healthcare professional - Why asking about the patient's last drink or dose creates a crucial bedside timeline Chapters 00:00 The bedside clues that can look like deterioration   01:32 Substance abuse and addiction at the bedside   02:04 Intoxication, withdrawal, dependence, and addiction   03:44 How addiction changes the brain's reward system   04:56 Alcohol withdrawal signs and timeline   07:12 CIWA scoring and immediate nursing priorities   09:00 Benzodiazepines, thiamine, and Wernicke's encephalopathy   10:07 Opioid intoxication, withdrawal, and treatment   11:55 Stimulant intoxication, the crash, and suicide precautions   13:56 Substance use disorder and impairment among nurses   16:44 Bedside pattern recognition and what to ask first   18:02 Recognizing stigma and protecting clinical judgment   This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace facility policy, clinical judgment, or medical advice. Follow your organization's protocols and consult the appropriate provider or emergency resources for patient-specific concerns. 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.