Addiction Flashcards
What is defined as hazardous drinking
Drinking above the level of 2-3 units/day for women and 3-4 units/day for men
What is defined as harmful drinking
Defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption causing health problems related to alcohol
What is defined as alcohol dependence
Behavioural syndrome of impaired control over alcohol use, with drinking becoming problematic and harmful
How to diagnose alcohol dependence
3 critieria met during 12 month period:
Tolerance.
Withdrawal symptoms/Alcohol withdrawl syndrome.
Use in larger amounts for longer periods than intended.
Time is spent obtaining alcohol or recovering from effects.
Social, occupational and recreational pursuits are given up/reduced.
Use is continued despite knowledge of alcohol related harm.
What screening tool can be used for alcohol use disorders
AUDIT
What happens in dependent drinkers
Lasting central nervous system changes take place which put people at long term risk of relapse
What laboratory investigations are useful in alcohol dependents
Gamma-glutamyl transferase which is a good biological marker of alcohol misuse.
Features of alcohol withdrawal
Sympathetic nervous system overactivity
Perceptual disturbances
Cognitive changes
Insomnia, GI distrubances and sometimes seizures
Symptoms of sympathetic nervous system overactivity
Raised pulse, raised blood pressure, sweating, tremor, raised temperature
Symptoms of perceptual disturbances
Visual, tactile or more rare auditory. Can be vivid dreams or hallucinations or llusions. Formication - sensation of feeling things crawling on the skin
Symptoms of cognitive changes
Anxiety, paranoia, delirium
What vitamin is lacking in alcohol dependents
Thiamine
What is the primary target for opioids
Mu opioid receptors and then dopamine
What are the other actions of opioids
Kappa and delta opioid receptors
What is the primary targey for cocaine
DAT and dopamine
