Alcohol & Substance Abuse

Question 1

DSM criteria for substance use disorder (SUD)

Answer 1

• Not to do with frequency/dose, diagnosis reflects impact of substance use
• Minimum of 2-3 criteria required for mild SUD, 4-5 for moderate, 6-7 for severe

Question 2

What is tolerance

Answer 2

• Need for increased amounts of substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
• Diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of substance

Question 3

Direct physical health consequences of substance use

Answer 3

Liver, heart & lung damage, increased cancer risk

Question 4

Indirect physical health consequences of substance use

Answer 4

Illness, injury, self-neglect, harm from risky behaviours

Question 5

Consequences of substance use on mental health

Answer 5

Transient psychosis, depression & anxiety, worsens established illnesses

Question 6

How many hospital admissions due to drug-related mental health were there in 2019/20

Answer 6

7027 (21% higher than 2009-10)

Question 7

How many admissions to hospital in 2018/19 were due to drinking alcohol?

Answer 7

358,000 (increased since 2008/09)

Question 8

How many adults aged 16-59 have taken drugs at some point in their lives?

Answer 8

35%

Question 9

How many adults had taken an illicit drug in the last year?

Answer 9

9%

Question 10

How many young adults (16-24) had taken an illicit drugs in the last year?

Answer 10

21%

Question 11

How many men and women drink in a week

Answer 11

65% of men, 50% of women (prevalence increases w age)

Question 12

How many men and women aged 55-64 drink above safe limits?

Answer 12

38% of men, 19% of women

Question 13

What is comorbidity?

Answer 13

When 2 disorders or illnesses occur simultaneously in the same person (substance use and mental health problems are highly comorbid)

Question 14

Rates of substance use for those with psychosis

Answer 14

50% use substances, 85% smoke cigarettes

Question 15

Is psychosis or bipolar more common in UK

Answer 15

Psychosis!

Question 16

What did Andreasson (1987) find about the use of cannabis before 18

Answer 16

6x greater chance of hospitalisation for schizophrenia at age 33

Question 17

Birth cohort study started in 1970s (Dunedin)

Answer 17

Assessed childhood symptoms prior to cannabis and after exposure
Cannabis users before 15 had more schizophrenia symptoms at 26
Adolescents with COMT polymorphism were 10x more likely to have sz aged 26

Question 18

Why can substance use be a consequence of psychosis

Answer 18

Self-medication