ASAM Practice Pearls
ASAM Practice Pearls
ASAM Education
Polysubstance Intoxication: Managing the Unknown
28 minutes Posted Jul 27, 2026 at 9:00 am.
Introduction
Chapter 59 in The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine
Patient Case: Altered Mental Status
Polysubstance Use as a Descriptive Term
Approaching Unclear or Mixed Toxidromes
Completing a Differential Diagnosis Workup
Responding When There Is a Lack of Clear Protocols
Contaminants and the Changing Drug Supply
Practice Pearls
Lightning Round Q&A
Conclusion and Additional Learning Opportunity
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Show notes
In this episode of ASAM Practice Pearls, Dr. Stephen Taylor welcomes Dr. Itai Danovitch to discuss the descriptive term polysubstance use and methods for evaluating and managing patients with polysubstance intoxication and unknown toxidromes. The conversation covers strategies for assessing altered mental status, maintaining a broad differential diagnosis, safely managing agitation, and providing supportive care while avoiding common cognitive biases. This episode offers listeners practical insights for navigating clinical uncertainty and supporting patients from stabilization to treatment engagement.