Methamphetamine intoxication and related emergency situations

Abstract

A 19-year-old male arrives by ambulance at the emergency department with a chief complaint of polysubstance abuse. He has been camping with friends for the past three days, during which he apparently consumed quantities of alcohol, Ecstasy, ‘mushrooms’ and crystal methamphetamine. His friends had called an ambulance after the patient was found unresponsive. On arrival, the patient was combative, verbally abusive, dehydrated, cold and wet. He was reported to have not slept for the past three days. During his 12-hour stay in the emergency department, he required respiratory support, intravenous fluids, benzodiazepines, physical restraints and close monitoring. He was discharged in the care of his father. Clinical management of patients with polysubstance abuse can be complicated, especially if the patient history is vague. This article will focus on acute methamphetamine intoxication and related emergency situations surrounding this drug.