Addiction and Substance Misuse Flashcards
WHta is the definition of substance dependence (addiction) - edwards and gross
- A compulsion to take the substance
- Continuing escalation of the amount used
- Withdrawal syndrome following cessation/reduction in use
- Development of tolerance to susbtance
- Neglect of other activtiies in favour of substance use
- persistent use despite evidence of harm
- loss of self control
- Rapid re-instatement of previous pattern after abstinence
Aetilogy and RFs for addiction
- Neurobiology:
- Dopaminergic fibres pathway- mesolimbic system - “reward Circuit” - (VTA-nucleus accumbens- prefrontal cortex)
- Brain endogenous opioid (endoprhin) system
- Reeated drug use -> pathways of reward drive and memory become overestablished
- olerance as neuro-adaptive response
- Vulnerability and genes
- Personality traits - impulsivitiy, risk taking
- Environmental influencs (deprivation, abuse, cultural, acceptance, role modelling)
Behvaioural/Psychological Factors to addiction
Operant conditions:
- Reinforcement of positive stimuli - drug sitmulates neural reward mechanisms (eg, dopamine/endorphins) which promotes reptition of drug using behaviours (Psoitive reinforcement)
- Removeal of aversive stimuli such as craving and withdrawal symptoms by using the substance again (negative reinforcement)
What are lots of types of substances
§Alcohol
§Opioids
§Cannabinoids
§Hypnotics / Tranquilizers
§Cocaine
§Other stimulants – e.g. Amphetamine, Methamphetamine
§Hallucinogens
§Tobacco
§Volatile solvents
Others (include Caffeine, Anabolic Steroids and some OTC medicines)
Patterns of drug use
- Vary over time
- Adolescence - explorationa nd experimentation - “cafeteria style”
- Evolution from social to problematic regular and mor eoslitary use
- Concept of a drug “career” or “CV”
- Often a maind rug of choice - eg, alkies vs junkies but Poly-substance misuse is the norm for more established problematic use.
UK Legal Categories for drug use - a,b,c classes based on harm
- Class A: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared forinjection). Possession - Up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Production / Supply - Up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both
- Class B: Amphetamines, Cannabis, Methylphenidate.(Ritalin), MKAT,Ketamine. Possession - Up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Production / Supply - Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both
- Class C: Tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Possession - Up to 2 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Production / Supply - Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both
Other addictive behaviours
- COmpulsive buying - Iniomania “mall disorders”
- Pathological gambling
- Kleptomania
- Compulsive eating
- Compulsive sexual activity
- Internet gaming disorder
Alcohol addiction and the MOA
80-90%drink it, ltos admissions from it, 10%men show dependence, 3% women
- Increases cell wall fluidity and permeability
- ENhancement of GABA-A transmission (anxiolitic effect)
- Release of dopamine in mesolimbic system (euphorian effect)
- Inhibition of NMDA glutaminergic transmission (amnesic effect)
Acute effects:Disinhibition, elevation mood, increased socialisation, disinhibition, lability of mood, impaired judgement, aggresiveness, slurred speech, ataxia.
Alcohol Metabolism
Aetiology for Alcohol problems
- Genetics: 1st degree relative of alchold ependents increase x2, higher risk MZ twins vs DZ twins and aldh variant in asian pop so intolerant to alcohola nd get flushing
- Cloninger:
- type I - geentc environemnt late onset, storng psychological dpeendence, men=women
- Type II = mor egenetic influence, earlier onset, storng family Hx, antisocial PD, noverlty seeking behaviour, men>women
- Psychological - trauma/ abuse
- Behaviours = modelling and peer influence
- Socio-cultural = deprivation/ poor family support and structure.
Alcohol - Psychiatric complication
- Harmful use and dpeendency
- Whthdrawals tremens
- acute alcohol and idnuced amnesia
- Alcoholic hallucinosis
- Alcohol induced delusional disorder and pthological jealousy
- Cognitive impairment and dementia
- Development of exacerbation of anxiety /depressive symtpoms
- Dliberation self harm and suicide
Alcohol- Medical Complications
Acute Toxicity = Between 300-400mg/100ml (0.3%-0.4%) -> unconcsiosness, coma and death
Chronic Medical Problems:
- Hepatic
- alcoholic liver disease
- Fatty change - >90% of heavy drinkers, reverses with abstinence
- Alcoholic hepatitis - 40% of heavy drinkers
- Cirrhosis - up to 30% of hevay drinkers after 10-30years
- GI: Gastritis, metaplasia, mallory-weiss, diarrhoea, pancreatitis
- Cancers
- CVL high BP, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation
- Respiratory
- Neuro: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, peirpheral neuropathy, central pontine myelinolyiss, corpus callosume degeneration, optic atrophy, alcohol myopathy
- GU: Erectiel problems, hypogonadism
- Other: Haematology, impaired absroption of vitamins/food, gout, foetal alcohol syndrome
Foetal Alcohol SYndrome
- Foetal growth restriction
- CNS problems including cognitive dysfunctiona nd neurological abnormalities
- Cluster of characteristic facial abnormalities
- Failure to thrive
Psychosocial alcohol problems
- LOOT - Financial – Mounting Debt – bankruptcy
- LAIR - Housing – Re-possession - Loss of stable home circumstances – Homelessness
- LABOUR - Occupational problems - Job Loss and redundancy – Loss of reputation
- LEGAL – Driving offences and loss of licence– Public Disorder / Assaults Violence / Theft or Fraud
- LOVE - Relationship breakdown – Domestic Violence
Assessment of patient with alcohol problems
- Lifetime and current pattern/amount (units)
- Signs of dependence
- Physical/mental health
- Problems related to alcohol
- Previous treatment attempts
- Family Hx
- Attitude to referral/motivation/ goals
- Physical examination
- Blood testing