Addiction medicine Flashcards
define
- dependence
- addiction
- abuse
- misuse
- use
- habit vs any of the above
- dependence = medicalised view, BUT you may be dependent on things which may not be a problem
- addiction = STIGMA, DO NOT EVER CALL SOMEONE AN ADDICT
- abuse = negative connotations
- misuse = preferred
- use = preferred but does not acknowledge the problem
- habit very different to above
how do we know whats being used
- monitoring schemes (IDRS, EDRS, household drug use surveys)
- needle syringe program reporting
- hospitalisations, coronial inquiry
- forensic capture
- sewage monitoring
what drugs are being used locally?
- alcohol and tobacco
- steroids
- IVDU
- opiate use (90%+ prescription)
- amphetamines
- benzodiazepines (major issue in 1% of pop -> drug using community 30-40% uses)
- OTC misuse
why do people misuse substances?
- social, environmental, biomedical/neurochemical + genetic factors
- ALSO personality types, exposure, societal attitudes
is there a genetic predisposition to substance misuse?
- yes
- genetic predisposition to some drugs that may enhance/ alter their addictive ability
- EG1
10% of community does not convert codeine to morphine (so you dont feel the effects) AND 10% of the community hypermetabolises (so you get around 2x the effects and are at high risk for dependence) - EG2
have a core expression of alcohol dehydrogenase but do not have secondary metabolism (can get accumulation of early products which means you get flushing + feel unwell)
what are some social and environmental risk factors for substance misuse?
- SES
- education
- Fam Hx
- social acceptability
- incarceration
- exposure
explain the biomedical/neurochemical risk factors for substance misuse?
- reward pathway -> food, water, sex, nurturing
- the reward pathway of users gets hijacked by the drug and tops the list
what is the National Drug Strategy
- an integrated strategy focusing on
1) demand reduction
2) supply reduction
3) harm reduction
what are the acute effects of substance use?
1) acute effects
- use (saliva drug test for driving, urine drug screening in athletes etc.)
- intoxication (BAL in driving/consent)
- adverse effects (acute harms EG. injection injury, OD, accident/ other injury, social harms etc)
- overdose: special subcategory of harm
what are the majority of drug deaths attributed to?
- accidental
- many acute
- around same as MVA
- approx 50% opioid
what are some routes of administration?
1) oral - drop it
2) IV - boot it
3) inhalation/smoke - chase it
4) rectal - shaft it
what are the patterns of drug use?
starts out experimental -> occasional-> recreational-> regular-> dependent
what are some harms associated with acute use?
1) social harms
- forensic, child safety issues, unplanned pregnancy, broken relationships, depletion of finances, employment issues
2) mental health
- psychosis, aggression, anxiety
3) physical harms
- IVDU related, OD, injury while intoxicated, LOC
what are some IVDU related harms?
- injection injury
(embolic events, foreign body, vasospasm, thromboembolism, vessel rupture, vessel damage, ischaemic/necrotic limb, nerve damage) - secondary disease
(septicaemia, endocarditis, distant infective/body embolus, abscesses, organ failure) - BBV
(hep C, hep B, HIV)
list some physical harms of stimulant and depressant intoxication
stimulants
- rhabdomyolysis
- renal failure
- stroke
- MI
- seizures
- cardiac failure
depressants
- seizures
- hypoxic brain injury
- respiratory failure
- aspiration
- cardiac failure
- leukoencephalitis
what are the harms associated with chronic substance use?
1) related to loss of function
2) social harms
forensic, incarceration, child safety issues, fertility issues, homelessness, relationship issues, prostitution, financial harms
3) mental health
- dependence, depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis
4) physical harms
- physiological dependence, organ damage, BBV, IVDU related harms, rapid ageing, STIs, repeated exposures to acute harms, malnutrition
outline dependence
- requires time and use
- context dependent
- substance needs to be able to activate reward pathway
- physiological and psychological aspects work together
what are the physiological steps to dependence?
1) exposed to substance with abuse potential (cross BBB)
2) +ve aspects > -ve aspects
3) environment conducive to repeated use
4) repeated use = receptor adaptation
5) downstream neurological functioning alters to adjust for receptor change (HOMEOSTASIS)
6) tolerance = when same amount of drug produces less of a physiological response
7) tolerance fuels desire to use more of substance
8) dependence= normal function now requires increased levels of binding
9) withdrawal= removal prod adverse effects
what are the psychological aspects of dependence?”
1) involved in likelihood of trying drug
2) involved in resistance to social forces
3) people with poor coping strategies tend to seek out dissociation from reality (internal locus = resilience, sense of control, identity VS external locus = supports, role models, opportunities)
4) psychological factors in the resistance to adverse experiences in stopping if desired
what is the DSM V criteria for substance use disorder?
- problematic pattern of use
- leads to clinically significant impairment
- 2-3 mild; 4-5 moderate: 6+ severe
- in 1 year incl at least 2 of:
- larger amounts/ longer period of substance use than intended
- persistent desire/ unsuccessful efforts to cut down/ control use
- lots of time spent in obtaining, using + recovering from substance
- Craving/strong desire to use substance
- Recurrent use resulting in a failure to fulfil major obligations
- Continued use despite persistent/recurrent social/interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by use
- Important social, occupational/recreational activities given up or reduced due to use
- Recurrent use in situations that may be hazardous
- Use is continued despite knowledge of harm
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal syndrome on cessation or reduction
when does substance withdrawal occur?
- only occurs when there is physiological adaptation
- some types can be fatal
(context
- Anticipation/ Expectation - Environment
- Co-morbidity/Risk Factors - Extent of dependence)
what are some general features of withdrawals of CNS stimulants/ depressants
- sweating
- nausea, vomiting, appetite disturbances
- restlessness, irritability, cranky, angry, violent reactions
- loss of self- control
- anxiety, panic attack
- depression
- headaches
- muscle/ ab cramps, aches and pains
outline the pharmacology of alcohol intoxication
1) allosteric inhibition of NMDA receptors + facilitates of GABA-A mediated chloride flux
2) reward response via DA release in mesolimbic pathways increases post-synaptic D1 response
3) bilateral signalling btw pre-frontal cortex + mesolimbic pathway (VTA- nucleus accumbens)
what are the current guidelines for alcohol consumption?
- no more than 2 std drinks daily to reduce lifetime risk of death/ injury due to alcohol
- no more than 4 on any one occasion to decrease risk of injury/ harm that occasion
- U18 NO alcohol because of increased risk of dependence associated with age of onset
- NO alcohol during pregnancy/ breastfeeding
what is a standard drink?
drink containing 10g of pure alcohol
how many standard drinks are found in some common alcoholic beverages?
BEER
- 285ml full strength (4,8%) = 1.1 std drinks
- 425ml full strength (4,8%) = 1.6 std drinks
- 375ml (bottle + can) full strength (4,8%) = 1.4 std drinks
WINE
- 150ml sparkling wine (12%) = 1.4 std drinks
- 150ml red wine (12%) = 1.6 std drinks
- 150ml white wine (11,5%) = 1.4 std drinks
- 750ml (bottle) red wine (12%) = 8 std drinks
SPIRITS
- 330ml full strength ready to drink (5%) = 1.2 std drinks
- 375ml (can) full strength premix (5%) = 1.5 std drinks
- 300ml (can) high strength premix (7%) = 1.6 std drinks
- 30ml high strength spirit nip (40%) = 1 std drink
how are standard drinks calculated?
NUMBER OF STANDARD DRINKS = vol of container (litres) x % alcohol in vol (ml/100ml) x 0.789 (specific gravity of alcohol)
what percentage of deaths are attributable to excessive alcohol use?
- 10% all cancers
- 20% intentional injuries
- 7% deaths
- GLOBALLY KILLS MORE THAN HIV/AIDS
what are the physical effects of alcohol?
- affects almost every organ
- KEY: liver, brain, GIT, heart
- NB -> Wernickes/Korsakoffs Syndrome; liver failure, pancreatitis (+- secondary DM), gastritis (& gastric bleeding), neurological effects
+ ACUTE effects of intoxication
what are the psychological effects of alcohol?
- insomnia, fatigue, anxiety disorders, depression, suicide, suicidal ideation, exacerbation of existing mental disorders
what are the social effects of alcohol?
- disinhibition, unplanned sex, violence, trauma, STI, use of drugs, marital problems, workplace absenteeism, child abuse and neglect, road safety issues etc.
what are the potential consequences of consuming alcohol in pregnancy?
- FAS (a lot unDx -> think it’s ADHD)
- DISCRIMINATING FEATURES: short palpebral fissures, flat mid face, short nose, indistinct philtrum, thin upper lip
- ASSOCIATED FEATURES: epicanthal folds, low nasal bridge, minor ear abnormalities, micrognathia
what are the harms of alcohol consumption to others?
AUS STAT
- around 400 people dead + 14000 hospitalised due to drinking of others
- 70000+ DV
- 20000+ child abuse
- 10million experienced some negative effect of a stranger’s drinking (1yr)
- 70% affected in some way by another’s drinking
what is the cost of alcohol consumption?
- around $20.6 billion
- tangible costs $14.3 billion
- intangible costs $6.4 billion
what are some barriers to seeking help for excessive alcohol consumption?
PATIENT
1) lack of concern
2) do not perceive risks to be significant
3) sensitive to subject (get defensive)
4) underestimate difficulty of changing
5) reluctance to seek help
6) use to cope with stress
7) stigma
8) lack of self-efficacy
DOCTOR
1) unwillingness to ask
2) lack of knowledge of guidelines
3) attitudes + beliefs
4) skills + referral practices
5) lack of time, remuneration + infrastructure
what are the alcohol screening tools?
C.A.G.E (2+)
1) have you ever felt the need to CUT down on your drinking?
2) have people ANNOYED you by criticising your drinking?
3) have you ever felt bad/ GUILTY about your drinking?
4) have you ever had a morning first thing in the morning to steady your nerves/ get rid of a hangover (EYE-opener)
AUDIT C (4+ men; 3+ women)
1) how often did you have an drink containing alcohol in the past year?
(0 never, 1 monthly, 2 two-four x month, 3 two-three x week, 4 four+ week)
2) how many drinks did you have on a typical day when you were drinking in the past year?
(0= 0-2; 1 =3-4; 2= 5-6; 3= 7-9; 4=10+)
3) how often did you have 6+ drinks on one occasion in the past year?
(0=never; 1
are brief interventions effective in people who have an excessive alcohol intake?
- level A evidence = yes, reduce alcohol in people with risky drinking problems/ non dependent people who experience alcohol related harm
- implement in GP+ ED
- not recommended for severe alcohol related problems/ dependence
- FLAGS = feedback, listening, advice, goals, strategies
when is screening with indirect biological markers used (alcohol)
- LFT (high)
- used as adjunct to AUDIT C-> less Sn+Sp
what are some psychosocial interventions that can be used in people who partake in excessive alcohol consumption?
1) motivational interviewing
2) behavioural self-management (if no/low dependence)
3) coping skills training
4) cue exposure with other skills
5) behaviour couples therapy
6) relapse prevention strategies for mod-severely dependent
what does the evidence say regarding self help in people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol?
- level A evidence that referral to AA improves outcomes
- level B evidence that effective for maintenance of abstinence in some pt
- GOV POLICY IS HARM MINIMISATION NOT ABSTINENCE
what are the relevant pharmacotherapies that aid in relapse prevention for dependent drinkers?
1) Acamprosate
- block GLUTAMATE receptor
- activate GABA A
- fewer side effects
- need normal renal function
2) Naltrexone
- oral opiate antagonist
- not suitable if taking other opiate medication
- need normal liver function
3) Disulfiram
- aversive drug
- close supervision, no Cl
what is Wernickes encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis?
- preventable BUT potentially irreversible CONFUSIONAL/ AMNESIC state
- can be fatal
- caused by thiamine deficiency
ALWAYS GIVE THIAMINE + ALWAYS LOOK FOR NYSTAGMUS
WE
- physiological component
- usually early in presentation
- confusion, ophthalmological changes (nystagmus>opthalmoplegia)
KP
- psychological/ behavioural
- often later at irreversible stage