Addiction Flashcards
How is alcoholic hallucinosis different from normal auditory and tactile hallucinations?
Patients are usually aware that hallucinations aren’t real
A patient presents belligerent, paranoid, violent and hostile. He has slurred speech and vertical nystagmus. this is …
PCP intoxication
What is the best treatment for someone with PCP intoxication?
don’t restrain, don’t give benzos except for muscle spasms and only if necessary (could slow down excretion), don’t give antipsychotic. hang low, maybe give antihypertensive
What triad of symptoms would indicate PCP intoxication?
nystagmus, muscle rigidity, cannabinoids in urine
What are the criteria for substance abuse?
Work affected
Interpersonal relationships
Legal issues
Dangerous situations
When do signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal begin?
6-24 hours after last drink
When do delirium tremens begin? What do they look like?
48-72 hours - hallucinations, autonomic instability,
What are the characteristics of Korsakoff’s psychosis?
confabulations - false memories
What BAL is associated with intoxication?
150
What medications exist for alcohol dependence and how do they work?
antabuse (disulfuram) - blocks alcohol dehydrogenase
naltrexone - opioid receptor blocker, prevents high
Acamprosate - inhibits glutamatergic
Topiramate - anticonvulsant that potentiates GABA
What is the mechanism of cocaine?
blocks dopamine reuptake
How long do the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine last?
18 hours, give or take
What are the consequences of chronic amphetamine use?
acne, dental problems
What is a good treatment for benzo overdose?
flumazenil - short acting antagonist
What is date rape drug?
GHB - depressant that causes memory loss
What are the symptoms associated with opioid intoxication?
sedation, constricted pupils, respiratory depression
What opioid drug actually produces dilation?
demerol dilates
What are the symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal?
dysphoria, insomnia, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, sweating, dilated pupils, hypertension
What treatments exists for opiod dependence?
methadone, suboxone (partial opioid agonist), naltrexone (competitive antagonist)
Can people who take hallucinogens go through a withdrawal?
not really, but can have flashbacks
What is the mechanism of marijuana?
inhibits adenylate cyclase
How frequently does marijuana dependence occur?
5% of the time
What is the mechanism of inhalants?
CNS depressent
What are the potential consequences of inhalant overdose?
respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmia, permanent damage to CNS
