Alcohol Misuse Flashcards
harmful use of alcohol
the pattern of use causing damage to physical or mental health
use >1 month or repeatedly for 12 months
alcohol dependence is 3 or more of the following for >1 month or repeatedly over 12 months
craving/ compulsions to take
difficulty controlling use
primacy
increased tolerance
physiological withdrawal on reduction/ cessation
persistent despite its harmful consequences
symptoms of alcohol withdrawal state:
tremor
weakness
nausea
vomiting
anxiety
seizures
confusion
agitation
death
severe: delirium tremens
what is delirium tremens?
profound confusion, tremor, agitation, hallucinations, delusions, sleeplessness
(death from seizures, cardio attack etc)
physical conditions that are caused by increased alcohol consumption
hepatitis
brain damage
loss of memory
hallucinations
loss of muscle
enlarged heart/ high BP
what is Wernicke’s Encephalopathy?
confusion
ataxia
opthlmoplegia
nystagmus
What causes Wernicke’s Encephalopathy?
thiamine deficiency
Korsakoff’s psychosis
a late complication of wernicke’s encephalopathy that causes impairment of recent and remote memory, confusion and behavioural changes
Screening tools for alcohol dependence
CAGE
FAST (fast alcohol screening test)
AUDIT (alcohol use disorder identification test)
PAT (paddington alcohol test)
how do you manage alcohol dependence?
without medication
practical advice, education, harm reduction
patient and family support
CBT
how do you manage alcohol withdrawal?
benzodiazepines
how do you prevent wernickes korsakoff syndrome?
give thiamine
what do you give as a deterrant medication for alcohol dependence?
antabuse (disulfiram)
give you an instant ‘hangover’
what is drug tolerance?
reduced responsiveness to a drug due to previous administration
