Cha. 7: Abuse of and Addiction of Benzodiazapines and Similar Substances Flashcards
Define delirium
An acute confusional state that comes on rapidly.
- Can occur as a result of alcohol, stress, malnutrition, coming out of anesthesia, after giving birth
- Quickly excited and agitated, confused
- A good percentage of people with delirium die
Benzodiazapines are produced _____ and replaced barbiturates as _____-relieving medications.
Legally; anxiety
Name some benzo’s.
Valium, Librium, Ativan, Tranxene, Xanax, Serax, Klonopin
Tolerance to benzo’s develop _____ as barbiturates, but are more selective in their _____ action.
Just as quickly; neurological
Benzo’s have a large _____, which makes it hard to kill yourself on them alone.
Therapeutic index
Tolerance to benzo’s develops around _____ of continuous use
30 Days
What are the effects of benzo’s?
Less anxious, impaired motor skills, slurred speech, impaired cognition, slower reaction time
Will using benzo’s at the prescribed level still have an effect on the body?
Yes
What are some of the withdrawal symptoms of benzo’s?
Headaches, agitated, anxious, irritable, insomnia, formacation (sensation of bugs crawling in or on the skin), nausea, seizures (rare), psychosis
Define Discontinuation Syndrome
Physician’s diagnosis for withdrawal because they don’t like to talk about tolerance and withdrawal
Benzo’s have a synergistic effect with combined with _____.
Any CNS stimulant, but specifically alcohol and cocaine
What is Busparon?
Created as a alternate to benzo’s for anxiety
- Will not become dependent, will reduce anxiety, no withdrawal syndrome at all
Why don’t people use Busparon?
○ People who have been on benzodiazapines won’t take it because it doesn’t make you calmer right away, it takes weeks
What is Rohypnol?
A date-rape drug, benzodiazepines, causes retrograde amnesia; illegally-produced (FDA did not approve it)
When used in excess, _____ makes it look like you’ve been drinking.
Pain-killers
