Physical examination of substance abusers. How to gather evidence of concealed problems.

How can physicians make appropriate treatment decisions in substance abusers who have serious medical illness, especially when patients may not offer the information needed? Drs Westreich and Rosenthal summarize common physical findings that suggest abuse of specific substances. Recognizing these signs allows physicians to reliably diagnose chemical use, leads to improve outcomes, and lends weight to recommendations for substance-abuse therapy.