Drug Abuse and Addiction

Question 1

Substance Abuse

Answer 1

use of a substance that modifies mood or behaviour in a manner characterized by a maladaptive use pattern.

Question 2

What is drug addiction ?

Answer 2

This is a chronic relapsing brain disease that is chacteristised by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consquences.

Question 3

VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES THAT DRUG ABUSE
CAN BE DEFINED

Answer 3

Legal
 Moral
 The medical model
* social

Question 4

DRUG USE CONTINUUM

Answer 4

The use of psychoactive chemicals, licit or illicit, can objectively be labeled drug abuse only when the user becomes dysfunctional.

Question 5

negative consequences of drug use

Answer 5

 losing a job,
 severe disruption of social relationships,
 and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.

Question 6

Addiction is

Answer 6

a complex illness characterized by repeated, compulsive, at times uncontrollable behavior that persists even in the face of adverse social, psychological, and/or physical consequences.

Question 7

Addiction is characterized by:

Answer 7

• Preoccupation: The addict assigns a high priority to acquiring drugs. Social relationships and employment are jeopardized in the quest for drugs and the consequences of use.
• Compulsion: The addict continues to use drugs despite serious adverse consequences. They will often deny the connection between the adverse consequences and the use of drugs.
• Relapse: In the face of adverse consequences, addicts discontinue drugs but subsequently return to abnormal use.

Question 8

WHY DO SOME DRUG USERS BECOME ADDICTED, WHILE OTHERS DON’T?

Answer 8

• Conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person.
• Your genes, mental health, family and social environment all play a role in addiction.

Question 9

Risk factors that increase your vulnerability
include:

Answer 9

 Family history of addiction
 Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in
childhood
 Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
 Early use of drugs
 Method of administration—smoking or injecting a
drug may increase its addictive potential.

Question 10

What is ROA?

Answer 10

The route of administration (ROA) that is chosen may have a profound effect upon the speed and efficiency with which the drug acts

Question 11

Two main class of ROA

Answer 11

Enteral
Parenteral

Question 12

ENTERAL ROUTES

Answer 12

drug placed directly in the GI tract:
sublingual - placed under the tongue
oral - swallowing
rectum - Absorption through the rectum

Question 13

SUBLINGUAL/BUCCAL

Answer 13

Some drugs are taken as smaller tablets which are held in the mouth or under the tongue.

Question 14

Advantages of sublingual

Answer 14

 rapid absorption
 drug stability
 avoid first-pass effect

Question 15

Disadvantage of Sublingual

Answer 15

 inconvenient
 small doses
 unpleasant taste of some drugs

Question 16

Advantages of Oral

Answer 16

 Convenient - can be self- administered, pain free, easy to take
 Absorption - takes place along the whole length of the GI tract
 Cheap - compared to most other parenteral routes

Question 17

Disadvantages of Oral

Answer 17

 destruction of drugs by gastric acid and digestive juices
 effect is too slow for emergencies
 unpleasant taste of some drugs
 unable to use in unconscious patient

Question 18

Advantages of rectal

Answer 18

 unconscious patients and children
 if patient is nauseous or vomiting
 easy to terminate exposure
 absorption may be variable
 good for drugs affecting the bowel such as laxatives

Question 19

PARENTERAL ROUTES

Answer 19

 Intravascular (IV, IA)- placing a drug directly into the
blood stream
 Intramuscular (IM) - drug injected into skeletal muscle
 Subcutaneous - Absorption of drugs from the
subcutaneous tissues
 Inhalation - Absorption through the lungs

Question 20

About INTRAMUSCULAR?

Answer 20

 very rapid absorption of drugs in aqueous solution
 repository and slow release preparations
 pain at injection sites for certain drugs

Question 21

About INHALATION?

Answer 21

 gaseous and volatile agents and aerosols
 rapid onset of action due to rapid access to circulation
 large surface area
 thin membranes separates alveoli from circulation
 high blood flow

Question 22

About SUBCUTANEOUS

Answer 22

 Slow and constant absorption
 Absorption is limited by blood flow, affected if circulatory problems exist
 Concurrent administration of vasoconstrictor will slow absorption

Question 23

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

Answer 23

• You’re neglecting your responsibilities
• You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high,
• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble,
• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships,
• You’ve built up a drug tolerance.
• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.
• You’ve lost control over your drug use.
• Your life revolves around drug use.
• You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy
• You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you.

Question 24

PHYSICAL WARNING SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

Answer 24

 Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than
usual.
 Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden
weight loss or weight gain.
 Deterioration of physical appearance, personal
grooming habits.
 Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
 Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired
coordination.

Question 25

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

Answer 25

 Drop in attendance and performance at work or
school.
 Unexplained need for money or financial
problems. May borrow or steal to get it.
 Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
 Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts,
and hobbies.
 Frequently getting into trouble (fights,
accidents, illegal activities).

Question 26

PSYCHOLOGICAL WARNING SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

Answer 26

 Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
 Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry
outbursts.
 Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or
giddiness.
 Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or
“spaced out.”
 Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no
reason.

Question 27

WARNING SIGNS OF Marijuanna

Answer 27

Glassy, red eyes;
loud talking,
inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness;
loss of interest,
motivation;
weight gain or loss.

Question 28

Warning signs of Depressants

Answer 28

Contracted pupils;
drunk-like;
difficulty concentrating;
clumsiness;
poor judgment;
slurred speech;
sleepiness.

Question 29

Warning signs of stimulants

Answer 29

Dilated pupils; hyperactivity; euphoria; irritability;
anxiety; excessive talking followed by depression or
excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long periods of time
without eating or sleeping; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.

Question 30

Warning of inhalants

Answer 30

Watery eyes;
impaired vision, memory and thought;
secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth; headaches and nausea;
the appearance of intoxication;
drowsiness; poor muscle control;
changes in appetite; anxiety;
irritability;
lots of cans/aerosols in the trash.

Question 31

Warning signs of Hallucinogens

Answer 31

Dilated pupils;
bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations;
mood swings;
detachment from people;
absorption with self or other objects,
slurred speech;
confusion.

Question 32

Warning signs of Heroin:

Answer 32

Contracted pupils; no response of
pupils to light; needle marks; sleeping at
unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing,
sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite.