Illicit drug misuse

Question 1

What are some psychiatric complication of drug misuse?

Answer 1

Anxiety (28%)
Depression (26%)
Schizophrenia (7%)
Suicide x15

Question 2

What are some signs of opiate intoxication?

Answer 2

Euphoria/ relaxation 
Feeling of wellbeing
Constricted pupils
Drowsiness
Slurred speech
Poor attention and concentration

Question 3

What are some short-term effects of heroin?

Answer 3

Central euphoria and drowsy
Dryness in the mouth
Warm, flushing skin
Slowed breathing
Muscular weakness

Question 4

What are some symptoms of opiate abstinence syndrome?

Answer 4

Drug craving
Anxiety
Drug-seeking behaviour
Yawning
Sweating
Running eyes and nose
Shivering
Irritability
Insomnia
Low-grade fever
Abdominal cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Increased pulse and BP
Weight loss

Question 5

What is the drug Methadone used for?

Answer 5

It’s a opiate agonist used on top of opiates to reduce harm by reducing dose

Can take 4-5 days to work

Question 6

What is the drug Buprenorphine used for?

Answer 6

It’s a partial agonist at opiate receptors

At high doses, it blocks the action of opiates. Not suitable for those who wants to use it on top of drugs but it stabilises quicker than Methadone

Question 7

What is the drug Naloxone used for?

Answer 7

It treats opiate overdose

Question 8

How does skunk differ from cannabis?

Answer 8

It has higher levels of THC and lower levels of cannabinoids

Question 9

What are the 2 active components in cannabis?

Answer 9

THC (delta 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol)

CBD (Cannabidiol)