From the internet to the hospital: current experiences of individuals presenting to the Emergency Department with acute recreational drug toxicity

Background: Acute recreational drug toxicity is a common cause of emergency department (ED) presentations. There is limited published information on the perception, knowledge and experiences of these patients with regards to seeking medical care.Methods: Thirty-one participants with acute recreational drug toxicity completed a two-page questionnaire survey to gather information on previous health services used in relation to drug use, knowledge of sources of information on drugs, how their admission may influence their future use of drugs and their experience with their current hospital stay.Results: This was the first presentation to hospital with acute recreational drug toxicity in 20 (62.5% of respondents) participants. For 19 (59.4%), this admission would lead to stopping or reducing the use of recreational drugs/noel psychoactive substances (NPS). Seventeen (53.1%) of them utilised the Internet as a source of information on recreational drugs. Mean satisfaction score in relation to current attendance of 84.8 (range 46-100) and 29 (91%) would return to this hospital for treatment for future recreational drug problems.Conclusion: Contact with healthcare staff in an emergency setting may be the only access to healthcare services; it is important that this opportunity is utilised to inform individuals about the harms associated with using recreational drugs/NPS and sources of help/advice if required.