Development of Sepsis in a Patient Admitted to the Detox Unit for Opioid Abuse: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2025-952Keywords:
IV drug user, opiate withdrawal, sepsis, addiction medicineAbstract
Patients with opioid or benzodiazepine use disorder will often check themselves into a detox unit to combat withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include tachycardia, diaphoresis, and gastrointestinal upset. Unfortunately, these symptoms often mask the symptoms of other serious conditions, such as sepsis. The development of sepsis is observed in patients with substance use disorder, specifically those who abuse IV drugs. If unaddressed, this can progress to septic shock, a condition associated with significant mortality due to end organ damage and hemodynamic decompensation. This case presents a patient admitted to the detox unit for opiate use who had been admitted several times within the last year. She was treated for withdrawal symptoms for two days before it was discovered that she was septic. This case highlights the importance of recognizing acute conditions such as sepsis in the context of experiencing symptoms secondary to opioid withdrawal in patients admitted for substance detox.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ryan Jones, Lauren Rager, Neejad Chidiac, Tanvir Singh (Author)
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