What is intoxication?

Intoxication is the result of being under the influence of, and responding to, the acute effects of alcohol or another drug. The recognition of intoxication states is important in the appropriate treatment of substance-using patients Intoxication states can range from euphoria or sedation to life-threatening emergencies when overdose occurs The initial challenge to the clinician, however, is diagnosis, because intoxication can mimic many psychiatric and medical conditions. It is important to determine not only the severity of the substance ingestion but also the patient’s level of consciousness, the substances involved, and any complicating medical disorders. Often, more than one substance is involved, and it is critical to know what substances have been ingested, as well as how much of each substance.