addiction Flashcards
what are the CAGE questions
C - cut down - you ever felt the need to cut down
A- annoyed when people critique your drinking
G - felt guilty about drinking
E - eye opener- needed a drink 1st thin gin the morning ?
what pathway is responsible for addiction and what neurotransmitter is involved
meso-limbic and dopamine
what happens to dopamine receptor levels in addicts
they decrease therefor don’t experience same level of joy from other things eg food
what area of the brain shows dysfunction or under activity in addicts and what is this area responsible or
pre-frontal cortex - wise decision making and controlling impulse
limit of alcohol units per week
14
how many units of alcohol are consumed a week to class as harmful drinking
> 35 units
when is someone termed to have hazardous drinking
drinking >14 units but without alcohol related problems
what neurotransmitter channels does alcohol inhibit
NMDA glutamate channels
what happens to NMDA channels in alcoholics
in chronic alcoholism the number of receptors increases, therefore tolerance
when do symptoms appear at peak in alcohol withdrawal
appear within hours and peak at 24-48 hours
when would seizure appear in alcohol withdrawal
within 24 hours
what can acute alcohol withdrawal progress to
delirium tremens
when do symptoms of alcohol withdrawal resolve
5-7 days
what is delirium tremens and how does it present
rapid onset confusion caused by alcohol withdrawal, confusion disorientation ,agitation, hypertension, fever and visual/auditory hallucinations
what should be given to manage alcohol withdrawal
Benzos
