LAUSR

Substance abuse is an issue that has been widely recognised both in the medical and dental professions. Many different recreational drugs exist and their use can have important consequences in relation to conscious sedation. As the use of illicit drugs is growing, it is important to have an understanding of the impact of substance abuse on determining if a patient is a suitable candidate for conscious sedation. It is important to appreciate that while human studies in this area are limited, animal studies and observation of the reactions of substance abusers to sedative agents demonstrate a potential link between illicit drug use and conscious sedation through drug interaction. This paper aims to discuss the importance of understanding substance abuse, the potential effects such substances can have in relation to conscious sedation and appropriate management techniques for substance abusers in order to provide optimum safe care when undergoing conscious sedation techniques.