USA. Guest Editorial – New ASAM Implementation Guide for Hospital and Emergency Department Substance use Disorder Care
USA. Guest Editorial – New ASAM Implementation Guide for Hospital and Emergency Department Substance use Disorder Care
By Sarah Wakeman, MD, FASAM
Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) have frequent touchpoints with general hospitals and emergency departments (EDs). Between 2014 and 2018, 11.9% of inpatient hospitalizations and 9.4% of ED visits were for patients with SUD.1 The toll of not treating SUD is enormous, with high rates of premature discharge, cost, and mortality after discharge.2-5 Patients with SUD have also reported feeling dehumanized and experiencing stigma in hospital and ED settings, which can result in individuals not seeking needed health care services.6-7 Not treating SUD in general medical settings additionally breeds pessimism amongst clinicians who may not have the tools needed to provide good care and feel demoralized, which in turn amplifies negativity toward patients with SUD.8 Integrating SUD care into hospitals can address these challenges and it also aligns with hospitals' responsibility to not just treat immediate crises, but also to address the underlying medical condition—reversing an overdose and not offering SUD care would be akin to treating diabetic ketoacidosis but not offering ongoing diabetes care. (ASAM – American Society of Addiction Medicine, April 2026)