ER for drug use, future consequences?

[drowningman]

This might be a silly question but I have very little experience with hospitals or doctors, virtually none until the past year. Tried to find the most appropriate subforum for this hypothetical, which is too specific for google apparently.

Obviously admitting what you've taken when ODing or otherwise in danger or suffering is always preferable, they won't lock you up. Will this, or even simple admission of past or relatively recent drug abuse impact future treatment? Like receiving opioids (as if, anymore amirite) or benzos or something later? What if it's abuse/misuse that isn't related to the two aforementioned commonly abused scripts, or relating to anything legally prescribed at all for that matter, like say I dunno MDMA or psychedelics.

Surely at the least, that particular hospital network will have a record of what you cop to, yes? Or if you tell them who your primary care physician is, they will receive record of it? Like how much information is shared between differing healthcare networks nowadays? Shit, what about insurance for that matter? I'm perfectly aware of HIPAA (US-centric question btw) but that doesn't really apply here. I know at a certain specialist recently there was a form giving the option, as I understood it, of basically permitting or denying release of any health information there being shared with anyone beyond that specific office, but if this is even standard practice everywhere (dunno, is it?) I'm sure most people don't care/read these rights, especially when they think they're ODing in the ER and get handed an iPad to scribble their signature on.

I did find it surprising when the hospital knew, the very same night no less, of a (totally harmless) script I had, prescribed by a very specific type of doctor who practices out of a different network than theirs. Probably got it from records from my PCP, whom I informed them of (not entirely sure I even made her formally aware of this script on my own, but most likely) and who works for yet another differing network.

Probably a stupid question right, because it was my understanding that any known abuse or drug-seeking behavior of opioids, at least, basically gets you blacklisted for life everywhere, right? I guess my question is just how much info is shared and how far, and if any known drug abuse (not weed lol) can be disadvantageous for your own treatment later on. Edit: oh and not because I care about or would ever even attempt doc-shopping or something, only concerned with genuine treatment, just to be perfectly clear lol

 

[VerbalTruist]

This might be a silly question but I have very little experience with hospitals or doctors, virtually none until the past year. Tried to find the most appropriate subforum for this hypothetical, which is too specific for google apparently.

Obviously admitting what you've taken when ODing or otherwise in danger or suffering is always preferable, they won't lock you up. Will this, or even simple admission of past or relatively recent drug abuse impact future treatment? Like receiving opioids (as if, anymore amirite) or benzos or something later? What if it's abuse/misuse that isn't related to the two aforementioned commonly abused scripts, or relating to anything legally prescribed at all for that matter, like say I dunno MDMA or psychedelics.

Surely at the least, that particular hospital network will have a record of what you cop to, yes? Or if you tell them who your primary care physician is, they will receive record of it? Like how much information is shared between differing healthcare networks nowadays? Shit, what about insurance for that matter? I'm perfectly aware of HIPAA (US-centric question btw) but that doesn't really apply here. I know at a certain specialist recently there was a form giving the option, as I understood it, of basically permitting or denying release of any health information there being shared with anyone beyond that specific office, but if this is even standard practice everywhere (dunno, is it?) I'm sure most people don't care/read these rights, especially when they think they're ODing in the ER and get handed an iPad to scribble their signature on.

I did find it surprising when the hospital knew, the very same night no less, of a (totally harmless) script I had, prescribed by a very specific type of doctor who practices out of a different network than theirs. Probably got it from records from my PCP, whom I informed them of (not entirely sure I even made her formally aware of this script on my own, but most likely) and who works for yet another differing network.

Probably a stupid question right, because it was my understanding that any known abuse or drug-seeking behavior of opioids, at least, basically gets you blacklisted for life everywhere, right? I guess my question is just how much info is shared and how far, and if any known drug abuse (not weed lol) can be disadvantageous for your own treatment later on. Edit: oh and not because I care about or would ever even attempt doc-shopping or something, only concerned with genuine treatment, just to be perfectly clear lol

It will affect how you are treated in a medical setting bc it’s on your chart. In the US though, HIPPA exists. Bc of that they shouldn’t report It and your life shouldn’t be ruined everywhere.

For example, when I overdosed, I was found by the police. I had to go to the hospital. Bc the police found me I had to go through drug diversion. But the rest of my life has been pretty good. Have a wife, kids, house, job… All that stuff. My record no longer follows me. It’s been 11 years and a month.

 

[LucidSDreamr]

Not everywhere at least 8 years ago in FL It stayed within a specific hospital system.

I ODed at a hospital in one city and didn't affect my prescription.

This was years ago tho. Never admit drug use to a doctor or hospital unless a) your life depends on it at that very moment or

2) you are fine with being on your deathbed dying of cancer with only tylenol