7 - Substance misuse: background Flashcards
Define a drug.
A medicine or substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced to the body
Define substance use disorders.
Cluster of cognitive, behavioural and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems
Define addiction.
Chronic, primary, neurobiological condition influenced by genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors
What are the risk factors for drug misuse and addiction?
- men
- genetic
- socioeconomic
- age at first use
- mental health
- home life, family use
How does addiction progress?
- initiation of drug use is influenced via costal and environmental factors
- continuation of drug use and addiction is attributed to the neurobiological factors
What is the opioid addiction pattern?
- intense initial intoxication
- development of profound tolerance
- escalation in intake
- profound dysphoria, physical discomfort and somatic withdrawal symptoms during abstinence
What is the alcohol addiction pattern?
- initial intoxication
- pattern characterised by binges
- severe emotional and somatic withdrawal
- intense craving is often driven by negative emotional state
What is psychological dependence?
Overriding compulsion to take the drug even in the certain knowledge that it is harmful and whatever consequences of the method of obtaining it
What is physical dependence?
- not all drugs cause physical dependence
- if drug is suddenly stopped then severe withdrawal symptoms follow
What are the different ways in which drugs can be classified?
- behavioural
- pharmacodynamic
- legal
What are the behavioural classifications of drugs?
- stimulants
- opioids
- sedative hypnotics
- antipsychotics
- antidepressants
- psychedelics
What are the different routes of drug administration?
- oral
- transmucosal
- inhalation
- intramuscular
- IV
Define PWID.
Person who injects drugs (new abbreviation replacing IVDU)
What are risk factors for alcoholism?
- armed forces
- bachelors over 40
- bored housewives
- commercial travellers
- doctors
- entertainers
- those who work in hospitality
