Alcohol and Substance Misuse Flashcards

1
Q

State the seven ICD10 categories of Substance Misuse

A

1 - Acute Intoxication
2 - Harmful Use (but no dependence)
3 - Dependence Syndrome
4 - Withdrawal State
5 - Psychotic Disorder
6 - Amnesic Syndrome
7 - Residual Disorder (Personality disorder etc as a result of substance misuse)

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2
Q

Describe the Biological Aetiology behind Substance Misuse

A
  • Genetics (variations in enzymes that metabolise drugs)
  • Neurochemical Abnormalities
  • Mesolimbic Dopaminergic Reward Pathway - biological reinforcement
  • Psychosocial reinforcement from peers of pleasurable effects
  • peer pressure
  • life stressors
  • parental drug use
  • cultural acceptability
  • cost
  • availability
  • effect of drug
  • route

leads to dependence

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3
Q

Substance Dependence requires more than three of the following symptoms over a period of 1 month

A

Drug Problems Will Continue To Harm

strong Desire to consume substance

Preoccupation with substance

Withdrawal state when stopped/reduced

impaired ability to Control

Tolerance to substance requiring more consumption for desired effect

persisting with use despite clear Harm

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4
Q

Give 4 examples of Stimulant Drugs and their route

A
  • Cocaine (IN, IV, smoked)
  • Crack cocaine (IN, IV, smoked)
  • Ecstasy (PO)
  • Amphetamine (PO, IV, IN, smoked)
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5
Q

Describe the psychological effects of Stimulant Drugs

A

Euphoria

Increased Energy

Grandiose beliefs

Aggression

Arguemtative

Illusions

Hallucinations

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6
Q

Describe the physical effects of Stimulant Drugs

A
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypertension
  • Arrhythmias
  • N&V
  • Dilated pupils
  • psychomotor agitation
  • muscular weakness
  • chest pain
  • convulsions
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7
Q

Describe the withdrawal effects of Stimulant Drugs

A
  • Dysphoric mood - must be present
  • Lethargy
  • Psychomotor Agitation
  • Craving
  • Increased Appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Bizarre or unpleasant dreams
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8
Q

Name two Hallucinogens and their route

A

LSD

Magic Mushrooms

both PO

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9
Q

Describe the psychological effects of Hallucinogenic Drugs

A
  • Anxiety
  • Illusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Derealisation/Depersonalisation
  • Paranoid
  • Ideas of reference
  • Hyperactivity
  • Impulsivity
  • Inattention
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10
Q

Describe the physical effects of Hallucinogenic Drugs

A
  • Tachycardia
  • Palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Tremor
  • blurred vision
  • pupillary dilation
  • incoordination
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11
Q

Describe the psychological effects of Volatile Solvent Drugs (aerosols, paint, glue, petrol which are inhaled)

A
  • Apathy
  • lethargy
  • Aggression
  • Impaired attention and judgement
  • Psychomotor retardation
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12
Q

Describe the physical effects of Volatile Solvent Drugs

A
  • Unsteady Gait
  • Diplopia
  • Nystagmus
  • Decreased consciousness
  • Muscle weakness
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13
Q

Describe the psychological effects of Anabolic Steroids (testosterone, androstenedione, danazol which can all be taken PO and IM)

A
  • Euphoria
  • Depression
  • Aggression
  • Hyperactivity
  • Mood Swings
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
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14
Q

Describe the physical effects of Anabolic Steroids

A
  • Increased muscle mass
  • Reduced fat
  • Acne
  • Reduced sperm count
  • Male pattern baldness
  • Stunted growth
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15
Q

Describe psychological effects of opiates

A
  • Apathy
  • Disinhibition
  • Psychomotor retardation
  • Impaired judgement and attention
  • Drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
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16
Q

Describe physical effects of opiates

A
  • respiratory depression
  • hypoxia
  • decreased BP
  • hypothermia
  • low bp
  • coma
  • pupillary constriction
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17
Q

describe the withdrawl signs of opiates

A

craving

rhinorrhoea

lacrimation

myalgia

abdominal cramps

N&V

dirrhoea

dilated pupils

piloerection

raised heart rate and BP

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18
Q

describe the psychological effects of cannabis (cannabinoids)

(PO or smoked)

A
  • euphoria
  • disinhibition
  • agitation
  • paranoid ideation
  • temporal slowing
  • impaired judgement/attention/reaction time
  • illusions
  • hallucinations
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19
Q

describe the physical effects of cannabis

A

increased appetite

dry mouth

conjunctival injection

increased heart rate

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20
Q

describe the withdrawl signs of cannabis

A

anxiety

irritability

tremor of outstretched hands

sweating

myalgia

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21
Q

describe the psychological effects of sedative-hypnotics such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates (PO, IV)

A

euphoria

disinhibition

apathy

aggression

anterograde amnesia

labile mood

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22
Q

describe the physical effects of sedative-hypnotics

A
  • unsteady gait
  • difficulty standing
  • slurred speech
  • nystagmus
  • erythematous skin lesions
  • low bp
  • hypothermia
  • depression of gag reflex
  • coma
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23
Q

what are the withdrawl signs of sedative-hypnotics

A
  • tremor of hands
  • tongue or eyelids
  • N&V
  • increased heart rate
  • postural drop in BP
  • headache
  • agitation
  • malaise
  • transient illusions/hallucinations
  • paranoid ideation
  • grand mal convulsions
24
Q

Give 5 potential consequences of Substance Misuse

A

Endocarditis Drug Induced Psychosis DVT Crime Homelessness

25
Q

Give an example of a Class A drug and the subsequent UK law

A

Cocaine

7 years prison for possession, up to life for supply

26
Q

Give an example of a Class B drug and the subsequent UK law

A

Ketamine

5 years for possession, up to 14 years for supply

27
Q

Give an example of a Class C drug and the subsequent UK law

A

Benzodiazepines

Up to 2y possession and 14y for supply

28
Q

Name four investigations for a known substance abuser

A

Bloods - BBV (HIV, HEP B &C, LFTs, & clotting, U&Es, drug levels
Urinalysis - Drug Metabolites
ECG - Arrhythmias
Echo - Endocarditis

29
Q

Describe the management of Opioid Dependence

A

Detoxification and Maintenance- Methadone/Buprenorphine

Continued Abstinence (ie after detoxification) - Naltrexone

Overdose antidote = Naloxone

30
Q

Describe four psychosocial interventions for Substance Misuse

A
  • Keyworker with a therapeutic alliance for psychosocial support
  • Hep B immunization if risk
  • Motivational interviewing and CBT
  • Contingency Management (changing specific behaviours by offering incentives for positive behaviours)
  • Supportive help with finance/housing/employment
  • Narcotics Anonymous
  • Driving - DVLA guidelines
31
Q

whats the difference between detoxification and maintenance?

A

detoxification refers to a process in which the effects of the drug are eliminated in a safe manner (replacement drug) such that the withdrawl symptoms are avoided in an attempt to attain abstinence

maintenance therapy - aim is to minimise harm rather than abstain

32
Q

Define Alcohol Abuse

A

Consumption of alcohol at a level enough to cause physical psychiatric and social harm

33
Q

Define Binge Drinking

A

Drinking twice over recommended level of alcohol per day in one session
>8 units for males
>6 units for females

34
Q

Define Harmful Alcohol Use

A

Drinking above safe levels with evidence of alcohol related problems
>50 units per week for males and >35 units per week for females

35
Q

Describe the biological effects of alcohol

A

Affects GABA causing Anxiolytic and Sedative effects

Pleasurable and stimulant effect from dopaminergic pathway sensitises and leads to dependence

Long term decreases GABA and increases Glutamate = hyper-excitability of the CNS when alcohol is withdrawn

long term use often experince cravings which has been linked to dopaminergic, serotonergic, opioid systems that mediate positive reinforcement

36
Q

Describe the psychological theories behind alcohol dependence

A

Social Learning Theory
Operant Conditioning Therapy

37
Q

what are some risk factors for alcohol abuse?

A

male

young adults

genetics

antisocial behaviour

lack of facial flushing

life stressors

38
Q

Describe the ICD10 criteria for Alcohol Intoxication

A

A - Clear evidence of psychoactive substance, Disturbance in consciousness/cognition/behaviour, Not accounted for by mental/medical disorder
B - Evidence of dysfunctional behaviour, and one of unsteady gait/slurred speech/nystagmus/flushing

39
Q

Describe the clinical features of Alcohol Dependence (SAW DRINk)

A
  • *S**ubjective awareness of compulsion
  • *A**voidance of withdrawal symptoms by drinking
  • *W**ithdrawal symptoms
  • *D**rink seeking behaviour predominates
  • *R**einstatement if drinking after failed abstinence
  • *I**ncrease tolerance
  • *N**arrowing of drinking repertoire (fixed times)

k

40
Q

Describe the ICD10 criteria for Alcohol Withdrawal

A

A) General criteria for withdrawal state met (not accounted for by mental/medical disorders)
B) 3 of Tremor/Sweating/N and V/ Tachycardia/ Headache/Insomnia/Transient Hallucinations

Occurs 6-12hrs after abstinence

41
Q

Give 5 long term manifestations of Alcoholism

A

Cirrhosis
HCC
Peptic Ulcers
Pancreatitis
Wernickes and Korsakoff

42
Q

What is the CAGE questionnaire for Alcohol Abuse?

A

C - Have you ever felt you should CUT down on your drinking
A- Have people ANNOYED you by criticising your drinking
G - Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking
E - Do you ever have a drink EARLY in the morning

43
Q

Describe the expected MSE for an Alcohol Intoxicated patient

A

Appearance - Poor coordination, alcohol smell
Speech - Slurred
Mood - Elevated or depressed
Thought - Variable
Perception- Normal
Cognition - Impaired judgement, reduced concentration
Insight - Poor

44
Q

Describe the expected MSE for an Alcohol Withdrawn patient

A

Appearance - Agitated, Sweaty
Speech - Confused
Mood - Anxious
Thoughts - Paranoid Delusions
Perception - Visual Hallucinations, Illusions
Cognition - Delirium, Inattention
Insight - Poor

45
Q

what blood tests would you do in excess alcohol consumption

A

blood alcohol level

FBC (anaemia)

U&Es (dehydration, low urea)

LFTs including gamma GT (may be raised)

blood alcohol concentration, MCV (macrocytosis)

vitamin B12/folate/TFTs (alternative causes of raised MCV)

amylase (pancreatitis)

hepatitis serology

glucose (hypoglycaemia).

46
Q

Name three questionnaires for Alcohol Abuse

A

AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
SADQ (Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire)
FAST screening tool

47
Q

Describe the biological management of Alcohol withdrawal

A

High Dose Benzodiazepines (clordiazepoxide) used and tapered over 5-9 days
Thiamine Orally or IV as Pabrinex

48
Q

Describe the long term Biological management of Alcohol Dependence

A

Disulfiram
Acamprosate (reduces craving by enhancing GABA)
Naltrexone

49
Q

Describe the Psychological management of Alcohol Abuse

A

Motivational Interviewing
CBT
Environment based therapy

50
Q

Motivational interviewing uses the Stages Of Change Model, describe it

A

1) Precontemplation
2) Contemplation
3) Determination
4) Action
5) Maintenance
6) Relapse

51
Q

Describe the social management of Alcohol abuse

A

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

52
Q

How do you calculate alcohol units?

how many ml in 1 unit of alcohol

A

10ml (8g) of ethanol

strengths x ml / 1000

53
Q

bio-psychosocial approach to management of alcohol abuse

A
54
Q

what is Karsakoff’s psychosis

A

profound irreversible short term memory loss with confabulation (the unconscious filling of gaps in memory with imaginary events) and disorientation of time

55
Q

what is Wernicke’s encephalopathy

A

acute encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency, presenting with delirium, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, hypothermia and ataxia

urgent treatment - as may progress to Karsakoff’s psychosis

treat with parenteral thiamine

56
Q

what is the triad of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

altered mental state

ataxia

ophthalmoplegia

57
Q

what is delirium tremens?

A

withdrawl delirium develops between 24 hours and 1 week after alcohol cessation

peak at 72 hours

cognitive impairment, vivid perceptual abnormalities, paranoid delusion, marked tremor, autonomic arousal

treated with benzodiazepines, haloperidol for psychotic features and iv Pabrinex