Chemical Dependency: Alcoholism
Center for Continuing Dental Education
Chemical Dependency: Alcoholism
Center for Continuing Dental Education
When treating the recovering alcoholic, mood-altering drugs are not necessarily contraindicated if the patient is experiencing severe pain or if the scheduled operative procedures require the use of sedation and/or anesthesia. The following protocol should be followed, however, if this situation presents itself:
- Advise the patient and one of their family members of the type of drug that will be used and its potential side effects.
- Consult the patient's physician and/or recovery team to advise them of the treatment plan and the drugs that will be used. They may also make recommendations for pre- and post-care of the patient.
- If a prescription needs to be filled, a family member or their Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor (if one is available) should be the one that provides the drug to your patient when needed.
- Recommend to the patient that s/he intensify their activities with their recovery group to get them through the dental treatment that is requiring the use of mood-altering drugs.
- Obviously, prescribe only the amount of drug that is needed, and do not prescribe refills.
- Provide reassurance to your patient that you will do everything that is needed to get them through their treatment.
