ABSTRACT
When asked to treat a person who is intoxicated, the clinician must clarify the severity of the situation. Some important questions to ask include: What is the patient's clinical condition and behavior? Is the patient alert, agitated, or comatose? What are the vital signs? With mild intoxication, the person may need to be observed in a safe environment which can sometimes be done at the patient's home, as commonly occurs in the case of an adolescent who got drunk for the first time and aroused concern in his or her parents. Other cases, such as severe opiate intoxication, are medical emergencies that may require treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
