Drug Abuse Flashcards
Define: psychologic dependence
Perceived “need” or “craving” for a drug. This is the primary reason for relapse.
Define: physical dependence
Changes that have occurred in the body after repeated use of a drug that necessitates the continued administration of a drug to prevent a withdrawal syndrome. Physical dependence can exist without addiction.
Define: chemical dependency
A primary, chronic, progressive, relapsing disease process with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. Addiction is progressive in nature (experimental–>social use–>abuse–>addiction) and may include gateway drugs like nicotine and alcohol.
Define: withdrawal syndrome
Withdrawal syndrome results when physical dependences are not met and may range from mildly unpleasant to life-threatening. Withdrawal syndrome depends on a number of factors including the drug being used, dose and route of admin., concurrent use of other drugs, frequency and duration; age, sex, health and genetics of user
Define: addiction
Compulsive drug-seeking behavior where acquiring and using a drug becomes the most important activity in the user’s life. Users choose continued use despite serious medical/social consequences. With addiction, there is always psychological dependence.
Define: tolerance
With repeated dosing, the dose of the drug must be increased to produce the same effect. Psychoactive drugs produce “central” tolerance (functional or behavioral)–definite decrease in the response of brain tissue to constantly increasing amounts of the drug.
Define: enabling (with respect to drug abuse)
The behavior of others (e.g. family and friends) who are associated with the drug addict that results in continued drug abuse.
Define: abstinence
The state of being free from drugs (this is the goal of drug treatment programs)
Define: drug abuse
When drugs are used in a manner or amount inconsistent with medical or social patterns of a culture. This includes non-sanctioned use of controlled substances and use of legal drugs outside of the scope of sound medical practice
What are some key factors that increase the potential for drug abuse?
potency of the drug, quick/rapid onset of action, inexpensive, easy to obtain/distribute
Discuss common reasons for relapse following treatment for drug addiction.
Pyychological dependence is the primary reason for relapse (it is the perceived “need” or “craving” for a drug)
What are some precautionary measures that should be taken when treating patients with a history of chemical dependency?
NO opiates, benzodiazepines, or nitrous oxide as these could make a recovered patient with alcoholoism relapse (remember relapsing disease)
(T/F): When comparing drugs in the same group, the time required to produce physical dependence is SHORTEST with a RAPIDLY metabolized drug.
True: (and similarly LONGEST with a SLOWLY metabolized drug)
(T/F): The longer the half-life, the quicker a withdrawal occurs.
False. The time course of withdrawal reactions is related to the half-life of a drug: the shorter the half-life, the quicker the withdrawal occurs.
What drugs are most abused by dentists?
Alcohol, hydrocodone with acetaminophen, benzodiazepines, street drugs and nitrous oxide
Discuss cardiovascular considerations for treating children who abuse inhalants.
Products containing difluroethane are often used as inhalants and cause increased heart muscle sensitivity to epinephrine–>leading to sudden death (if treatment with epinephrine proceeds)
What are the main causes of death from abusing inhalants?
suffocation, respiratory depression, hepatotoxicity, sudden sniffing death
Describe some features of dextromethorphan (DXM)
Low dose DXM = antitussive (thus used in cough medications like Robitussin). High dose = hallucinogenic (thus kids abuse it “Robotripping”)
Name several examples of depressants
Ethanol (alcohol), Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs), Opioids, Barbiturates (sedative hypnotics/anti-convulsants), volatile solvents (glue/gas), inhalants, nitrous oxide.
What are some key examples of opioids?
heroin, methadone (Dolophine), morphine, oxycodone (Percodan=widely abused by dentists)
What is the most rapidly acting opiate?
Heroin
Identify consequences of IV opioid drug abuse.
IV injections may result in Hepatitis B, HIV infection and damaged heart valves (IV drug users require antibiotic premedication prior to receiving any dental treatment)
What are key signs of acute opioid overdose?
Fixed, pinpoint pupils (miosis), depressed respiration, hypotension, shock, slow or absent reflexes, drowsiness, coma
Which oxycodone and acetaminophen product has less binder and is easier to dissolve than many counterparts (red flag when patients request this)?
Roxicet
What is the driving factor for opioid abuse?
These drugs are abused because they produce complete satiation of all drives in the body (elevate mood, cause euphoria, relieve fear/pain/anxiety, produce feeling of peace, suppress hunger, etc.)
Identify important drugs used as antidotes to manage opiate overdose.
naloxone (Narcan) and methadone
What are some key features of naloxone (Narcan) as a treatment of opioid overdose/withdrawal?
It is used for acute narcotic overdose to reverse respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils and coma (in oral surgeon office emergency kit)
What are some key features of methadone as a treatment of opioid overdose/withdrawal?
It is a long-acting opioid that can replace heroin then be gradually withdrawn. It is a physiologically equivalent drug to heroin used during long-term rehabilitation programs.
What is a helpful treatment option for alcoholism?
disulfiram (Antabuse): this drug inhibits the metabolism of aldehyde dehydrogenase, which increases the serum levels of acetaldehyde.
What features of disulfiram (Antabuse) make it effective in treating alcoholism?
It increases serum levels of acetaldehyde. These high levels cause many effects including vomiting (also flusing, nausea, thirst, palpitations, chest pain, vertigo, headache). Taking this drug and drinking makes you vomit and deters the person from drinking.
What are some dental treatment considerations for patients who abuse alcohol?
Poor oral hygiene, bilateral enlarged parotid glands, liver failure, increased bleeding, ascites and difficulty metabolizing drugs (including local anesthetics)
What are oral complications of alcholism?
Glossitis, loss of tongue pailla, angular cheilitis, fungal infections, bleeding (from liver damage), oral cancer (squamous cell), leukoplakia and ulceration of lateral borders of the tongue (examine tongue carefully for precancerous lesions)
What are treatment options for alcohol overdose?
Ventilation support, fluids and electrolytes, Vitamin B6, glucose, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium