Addiction: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders Flashcards
Opioid Crisis
130 deaths occur daily in the U.S. from an opioid overdose
5 Point Program to Assess Crisis
- Assess
- Data
- Pain
- Overdose
- Research
5 Point Program: Assess
better prevention, treatment, and recovery plan
5 Point Program: Data
better data on the epidemic
5 Point Program: Pain
better pain management
5 Point Program: Overdoses
better targeting of overdose
-reversing drugs
5 Point Program: Research
better research on pain and addiction
Polysubstance Abuse
abuse of more than one substance
Types of Substances Abused: Categories
- alcohol
- sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics
- stimulants
- cannabis
- opioids
- hallucinogens
- inhalants
Designer Dugs
synthetic substances made by altering existing meds or formulating new ones not yet controlled by the FDA
-amphetamine-like effects, some also have hallucinogenic effects called club drugs
Club Drugs
designer drugs that have a hallucinogenic effect
Intoxication
use of a substance that results in maladaptive behavior
Withdrawal Syndrome
negative psychological and physical reactions that occur when use of a substance ceases or dramatically decreases
Detoxification
process of safely withdrawing from a substance
-removal of toxic substances from the body
Substance Abuse
using a drug in a way that is inconsistent with medical or social norms and despite negative consequences
Blackout
phenomenon caused by alcohol in which long-term memory creation is impaired
- inability to later recall any memories from the intoxicated period, even when prompted
- continues to function but has no conscious awareness of his/her behavior at the time or any later memory of their behavior
- easily recall things that have occurred within the last 2 minutes, yet inability to recall anything prior
Tolerance
need for increased amount of a substance to produce the same effect
Tolerance Break
very small amounts of a substance will produce intoxication; very small amounts intoxicate the person
Spontaneous Remission
natural recovery that occurs without treatment of any kind
-response to a crisis or a promise to a loved one and was accomplished by engaging in alternative activities, relying on relationships with family and friends, avoiding alcohol and alcohol users, and social cues associated with drinking
Delirium Tremens
acute episode of delirium usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking
- only occurs in individuals with a history of constant, long-term alcohol consumption
- the DT’s, “The horrors”, “The shakes” literally, “Shaking delirium”, or “trembling madness”
Codependence
someone who exhibits too much, and often inappropriately, caring for persons who depend on him/her
Sobriety
solemn or dignified personal behavior, in particular moderation or abstinence with regard to (typically) the consumption of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs
Delirium
an acute and relatively sudden (developing over hours to days) decline in attention-focus, perception, and cognition
-associated with disturbance of consciousness, change in cognition, or the development of a perceptual disturbance, must be one that is not better accounted for by a preexisting, established, or evolving dementia
Delirium Diagnosis
- because it represents a change in cognitive function, the diagnosis cannot be made without knowledge of the persons baseline level of cognitive function
- rapid fluctuating time course of delirium is used to help in the later distinction
- confused with other psychiatric disorders because of the signs and symptoms
- most common symptomatic manifestation of early brain or mental dysfunction
Confabulation
is not lying; making up answers to fill in memory gaps; most commonly seen in dementia but also seen in chronic alcoholics
-symptoms of Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome
Agonist
chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell
- often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance
- causes action
Antagonist
blocks the action of the agonist and causes an action opposite to that of the agonist
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
brain disorder due to Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency
Dual Diagnosis
co-occurring disorders
-co-morbidity, co-curring illness, concurrent disorders, comorbid disorders, co-curring disorder, dual disorder
Wernicke Encephalopathy
confusion and loss of mental activity that can progress to coma and death
- loss of muscle coordination (ataxia) that can cause leg tremor
- vision changes such as abnormal eye movements (back and forth movements called nystagmus)
- double vision
- eyelid drooping
Ataxia
loss of muscle coordination
-symptom of Wernicke encephalopathy that can cause leg tremor
Nystagmus
abnormal eye movement; back and forth movements
-symptom of Wernicke Encephalopathy
Symptoms of Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome
Deficiency in Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- inability to form new memories
- loss of memory; can be severe
- making up stories (confabulation)
- seeing or hearing things that are not really there (hallucinations)
Addiction: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders Background Information
- maladaptive pattern of substance use
- remissions and exacerbations
- substance used poses a hazard to health
- known as addiction
- tolerance to a substance is examined
- withdrawal when the substance is eliminated or significantly reduced is common
- an altered physical or mental state due to use of the substance
Classes of Psychoactive Substances
- alcohol
- caffeine
- cannabis
- hallucinogens
- inhalants
- opioids
- sedatives/ hypnotics
- stimulants
- tobacco
Etiology
Theoretical causes
- biologic
- neurochemical
- psychologic
- social and environment
Risk Factors
- unemployment
- poor social coping skills
- history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- chaotic home environment
- history of mental illness
- untreated physical pain
- family history of addiction
- peer pressure
- recent incarceration
Diagnostic Work-Up
- diagnosis of substance abuse/ dependency is made by detailed subjective history (patient says)
- blood or urine screening for substance (s) and assessment skills