Class 9: Substance Use Disorders Flashcards
Define Drugs.
Chemical compounds that when administered produce a physiological change in the body.
Which type of drugs are most relevant in the context of substance abuse and addiction?
Psychoactive drugs which alter mood thought or behaviour.
How do most psychoactive drugs exert their effects?
By influencing chemical signaling in the synapse.
What are the three different categories of psychoactive drugs?
- CNS Depressants
- CNS Stimulants
- Hallucinogens
What do CNS Depressants do?
General suppression and relaxation (including suppressing mental function)
What do CNS Depressents do at low doses vs at high doses?
Low Dose: Calming
High Dose: Intoxication leading to sedation, coma or death
What do CNS Stimulants do?
Stimulate arousal giving a rapid but temporary boost of energy or clarity.
What do Hallucinogens do?
Alter perceptual experience; disturbing reality or cause hallucinations.
Name 3 Examples of CNS Depressants.
- Alcohol
- Opiates (Morphine, Heroin)
- Anxiolytics (Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates)
Name 4 examples of CNS Stimulants.
- Amphetamine (Meth, Speed)
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
Name 3 Examples of Hallucinogens.
- Marijuana
- LSD
- MDMA (ecstasy)
What age group has the highest percent of alcohol drinkers?
Young adults (18-24) followed closely by adults (25+)
What age group has the highest percent of cannabis users?
Youth (15-24) followed by adults (25-44)
Is opioid use in Canada going up or down?
Down thanks to getting it prescribed less.
Define ‘problematic substance use’
When someone uses drugs or alcohol in a harmful way that has negative effects on their health and life.
Define Substance Use Disorder.
Uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences
Define Addiction
State of uncontrolled drug use that persists in spite of negative consequences
What are the 4 diagnosing categories of DSM-5 for Substance Use Disorders?
- Impaired Control
- Social Impairment
- Risky Use of Substance
- Pharmacological Criteria
Describe the ‘Impaired Control’ Category of Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders in 4 points.
- Substance taken in larger amounts or over a larger period of time than intended
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
- Spends a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain/use or recover from substance
- Craving or strong desire/urge to use substance
Describe the ‘Social Impairment’ Category of Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders in 3 points.
- Recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work/school/etc
- Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up/reduced because of substance use
Describe the ‘Risky Use of Substance’ Category of Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders in 2 points.
- Recurrent substance use in situations which it is physically hazardous
- Substance use continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by substance use
Describe the ‘Pharmacological Criteria’ Category of Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders in 2 points.
- Tolerance, as defined by either:
a. a need for markedly increased amounts of substance to achieve intoxication OR
b. markedly diminished effects with continued use of the same amount of substance - Withdrawal as manifested by: characteristic withdrawal syndrome OR substance is taken to avoid withdrawal symptoms
How many critieria points do you need to be diagnosed with SUD (at each of the 3 levels) and for what timeframe
Mild: 2 to 3 Criteria
Moderate: 4 to 5 Criteria
Severe: 6 or more Criteria
within the last 12 months
Define Withdrawal
Physical and psychological behaviours that are displayed by an individual with a SUD when the drug use ends (several hours after to possibly several days)
