Optimizing Detoxification for Substance Use Disorders in Resource-limited Healthcare Systems: A Nursing Care Bundle Approach

Abstract

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major clinical burden, yet bedside nursing care during detoxification is often variable and poorly standardized. This manuscript proposes a structured nursing care bundle for detoxification across common substances, with five core domains: withdrawal assessment, medication administration, safety, comfort measures, and patient education. Substance-specific guidance is outlined for alcohol, opioids, tobacco, cannabinoids, sedative-hypnotics, and inhalants. The bundle also incorporates dual-diagnosis care and a brief psychosocial approach suitable for routine nursing practice. A key strength of this model is its feasibility in resource-limited settings, where nurses frequently provide continuous observation and intervention. By linking symptom scoring, timely medication support, safety precautions, reassurance, and brief psychosocial strategies, the bundle aims to improve consistency, clinical responsiveness, and recovery-oriented engagement. This pragmatic framework may help standardize detoxification care, support quality improvement, and strengthen the role of nurses in SUD management.