Addictions Flashcards
Substance abuse is STRONGly connected to
Childhood trauma
Individuals who score high on the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire are five times more likely to become alcoholics, and up to 46 times more likely to inject drugs.
Characterstics of addiction
Physical or psychological dependence
Tolerance to effects of a particular drug
Presence of withdrawal symptoms when drug is discontinued
Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to discontinue drug
Failure to maintain normal work or home relationships due to substance abuse
Increased time used to seek or use drugs
Causes of Addiction
Most addictive drugs produce euphoric effects associated with release of dopamine (DA) in brain pleasure center (nucleus accumbens)
Many factors contribute to development of drug addiction
Dependence
User has an overwhelming craving to take drug due to psychological factors, physical factors or both
Psychological Dependence – overwhelming desire to seek out and use drug but does not suffer any physical consequences when drug is discontinued
Physical Dependence – physiological change to nervous system in response to repeated use of drug; withdrawal symptoms occur if drug discontinued
Withdrawl syndrome
Refers to signs and symptoms experienced by physically dependent user when drug is discontinued
Signs and symptoms are transient and dissipate as more time passes from last usage
Signs and symptoms are often opposite to effects attributed to use of drug
Withdrawal syndrome is different depending on drug of abuse
Delerium Tremens (DTs)
Heart rate increase
BP increase
Cam be very serious and deadly
Are a withdrawl symptom
Post Acute Withdrawl Synd (PAWS)
Anatebuse (disulfiram)
Antabuse blocks an enzyme that is involved in processing alcohol. When mixed with alcohol it can cause very unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeat, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, flushing, and thirst.
Antabuse can be used in people with chronic alcoholism. It can help keep people from drinking because of the unpleasant side effects that will occur if you consume alcohol while taking Antabuse.
Must have permission
Know withdrawl ss of Opioids
Methadone
a long-acting opioid drug used to replace the shorter-acting opioids that someone may be addicted to, such as heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl or hydromorphone. Long-acting means that the drug acts more slowly in the body, for a longer period of tim
methadone prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings without causing the person to feel high (euphoric) or sleepy.
Tolerance
With repeated use of some drugs, a higher dose is required to achieve the same effect as a first dose
Tolerance does not occur in all brain regions equally
Cross tolerance occurs when tolerance to oe druge causes tolerance to a second structurally siilar drug
Tolerance is not the same as resistance or imunity
Same
Harm reduction
Reducing the harm induced by harmful behaviours
NOT stopping all harm
i.e. needle distribution
