Preoperative preparation of alcohol and psychoactive substances – addicted patients

Proper diagnosis of psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, as well as acute intoxication, withdrawal syndrome and overdosing are of great importance in patients who are preparing for surgical intervention. There are some specific details in their preoperative preparation whether they underwent emergency or elective surgery. Good knowledge of the characteristics of psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, interaction of psychoactive substances and anesthetics and any other drugs that could be used in the perioperative period is important especially for anastesiologist. In this work we present key issues for recognizing theese patients as well as some guidelines for adequate preoperative preparation and postoperative care.