Illicit substance misuse symposium Flashcards
Describe hazardous use
Drug use likely to lead to harm
Describe harmful use
Drug use which causes damage to health
What is dependence?
Pattern of ongoing behaviour that is hard to stop
Cluster of behaviour, cognitive & physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use
What are some symptoms of dependence?
Withdrawal Compulsion Salience Persistence despite evidence of harm Impaired control - inability to stop Tolerance
What reasons cause people to be admitted to hospital for substance misuse?
Overdose Cellulitis Abscesses Thrombophlebitis Arterial occlusion Septicaemia Endocarditis TB Respiratory infections Hepatitis HIV
What methods are used to take drugs?
Inject Smoke Snort Pills Rectal suppository Skin popping
What are some negative side effects that injecting drugs can cause?
Abscesses Collapsed veins Blood-borne infections (HIV, hep C) Overdose Leg ulcers Oedema Bacterial endocarditis Sepsis Increased risk of DVT & PE
What psychiatric illnesses can drug misusers suffer with?
Anxiety Depression Personality disorders Schizophrenia Increased suicide risk
What are the signs of opiate intoxication?
Euphoria / relaxation Feeling of well being Constricted pupils Drowsiness Slurred speech Poor attention & concentration
What are the symptoms of opiate abstinence?
Drug craving / seeking behaviour Anxiety / irritability Yawning Sweating Running eyes & nose Restless sleep / insomnia Dilated pupils Goose flesh Hot & cold flushes - shivering Aching bones & muscles Loss of appetite / weight loss Increased pulse rate, BP & RR Restlessness Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps Weakness
What is the triad of symptoms suggesting an overdose?
Unconsciousness
Respiratory depression
Pin point pupils
What is the treatment for overdose?
Establish airway
Ventilate
Naloxone - quick, short acting. Puts patient into withdrawal
Repeat every 2-3 minutes
When to refer to a specialist service?
Unable to make changes following brief interventions
Dependent with history of withdrawal
High level of alcohol / drug related harm
Previously known to treatment service
Pregnant / breastfeeding
Experiencing mental health issues
Mixing drugs
Why do people use drugs?
Numb pain / depressed Boredom / fun Addiction Expected / forced to Feel better / same / worse Easily available / cheap Social / cultural / peer pressure Gain confidence Chill out Sleep / stay awake Aid creativity Rebel
What are the points of harm reduction?
Pragmatic Priorities goals Humanist values Focuses on risks & harms Doesn't focus on abstinence Seeks to maximise range of interventional options available
