RT Book, Section A1 Pagel, Paul S. A1 May, Judith A. A2 Longnecker, David E. A2 Mackey, Sean C. A2 Newman, Mark F. A2 Sandberg, Warren S. A2 Zapol, Warren M. SR Print(0) ID 1144114470 T1 The Patient With a Substance Use Disorder T2 Anesthesiology, 3e YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071848817 LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1144114470 RD 2024/04/20 AB KEY POINTSSubstance use disorder is a common disease. It is characterized by loss of control over a substance of abuse, including an inability to voluntarily self-regulate substance use, compulsive preoccupation with obtaining or using a substance, and continued use despite adverse consequences.Substance use disorder may be managed successfully as a chronic disease, and many patients respond positively to treatment with long periods of abstinence.Consultation with an addiction medicine specialist is encouraged when providing care for active or recovering patients with substance use disorder during the perioperative period.Preoperative assessment of all patients presenting for surgery should include a routine evaluation for substance use disorder.Establishing a supportive, nonjudgmental but firm approach to the patient with active substance use disorder is vital for successful care.Preoperative history, physical examination, and laboratory testing should be guided by the known medical consequences of substance use disorder.A blood alcohol concentration and a urine drug screen should be obtained in all active and most recovering patients with substance use disorder.Polysubstance abuse is common.Infectious diseases are epidemic in injection drug users.Alcohol abuse has extensive medical consequences that affect every major organ system and is a major risk factor for perioperative morbidity and mortality.Abuse of sedative-hypnotics, opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, hallucinogens, and inhalants is associated with a wide variety of drug-specific medical complications.Withdrawal is commonly encountered during the perioperative period in patients with substance use disorder, and prophylaxis against withdrawal should be instituted before surgery.Recovery involves abstinence in combination with a series of personal changes to maintain sobriety.