Lecture 19: substance use Flashcards
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions, the main addictions in Canada are:
alcohol (most commonly used)
cannabis
cocaine
gambling
methamphetamines
opioids / prescriptions drugs
Factors that play a role in substance use and addiction include:
homelessness
socioeconomic status – those who live in lower income areas are the heaviest impacted
pre-existing mental health condition
race and ethnicity (there is an SDL on opioid crisis within First Nations community)
gender (males are impacted more than females)
personal history of trauma and abuse
One of the most effective strategies for reducing alcohol harm
alcohol pricing policies and creening for heavy drinking
Canadians wth lowest incomes report
less heavy drinking
>< more likely to be hospitalized for conditions entirely caused by alcohol
possible reasons:
higher stress levels
limited social supports
poor diet and physical inactivitity
low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines in Canadanewly released guidelines (January 2023) - ALCOHOL INTAKE: standard drinks
- no risk: 0
- low 1-2
- moderate 3-6
- high 7+
low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines in Canadanewly released guidelines (January 2023) - health consequences of drinking
cancer (especially breast cancer in women); heart disease; stroke
What do cancer specialists want to add to liquor labels?
add warning labels, similar to what is on cigarette packaging
Potential benefits of cannabis
may help those with an alcohol or opioid addiction
might help to relieve symptoms of depression, PTSD and anxiety
might help alleviate side effect in chemotherapy treatment of cancer
might help with certain medical conditions (MS, epilepsy)
Health risks of cannabis
exacerbate mental health issues (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
cyclic vomiting syndrome (severe vomiting and abdominal pain)
2-3x increases risk of vehicular accidents caused by impaired driving
accidental use by children (e.g. gummies)
decrease in size of hippocampus; decrease in attention, planning, decision-making; frequent use in youth is related to reduction in IQ
low growth hormone, thyroid hormone (related to metabolism, brain function)
brain changes specifically related the THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis
hypotension = low blood pressure
copd = chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders (classification of lung disease)
teratogenesis = changes DNA expression and/or mutates DNA
CBD OIL
non-psychoactive ingredient from cannabis (contains less than 1% THC
Reasons to take CBD
reducing stress, anxiety, nervousness
reduce inflammation related to autoimmune disease
minor join and muscle pain
helping to promote sleep
Side effects of CBD use
cotton mouth
dwosiness
may interfere with other medication
diarrhea or liver problems
nausea
What is an opioid?
A substance that is a pain-reliever, and can induce euphoria (feeling high)
* codeine
* fentanyl
* morphine
* oxycodone
* hydromorphone
* medical heroin
Opioid use data
is a Canadian health concern. Quebec has the 4th highest rate of opioid-related deaths in Canada.
Opioid overdose
take too much of an opioid.
=> affect the part of your brains that controls your breathing => breathing slows => unconsciousness and even death
The opioid drug supply is tainted by several drugs that are increasing risk of death. These include:
Cocaine
methamphetamines (meth, crystal meth)
***Benzodiazepines – a depressant drug to aid with sleeping.
Can administration of nalozone treats benzodiazepine overdoze
no
The most common method of opioid use that contributed to death was
smoking
Naloxone
is a fast-acting drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
restore breathing within 2-5 minutes
works by kicking opioids off the receptors in your brain => binding those receptors => reversing/blocks the effect
Naloxone only works if you have opioids in your system, such as:
fentanyl
heroin
morphine
codeine
Signs of opioid overdose
blue lips or nails
dizziness and confusion
can’t be woken up
chocking, gurgling or snorling sounds
slow, weak or no breathing
drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
suspect an overdose, do
call 911
administer naloxone
stay
The four pillars in reducing drug and alcohol addiction
prevention
treatment
harm reduction
justice & community safety
services that are important in support of drug and alcohol use:
community support
harm reduction support
case management
advocating for participants
medication delivery
crisis support
housing supports
income supports and drug coverage
legal support
cultural programming
referrals to other services
Positive impact on participants having access to safer supply of drugs
improved health, wellbeing and quality of life
decreased overdose risk
addressed mental health and chronic diseases
more energy and more active
eat and sleep better
becoming housed and employed
increased stability
no longer engaged in survival sex work
improved relationship
hopeful
Why is there disproportional substance use amongst the First Nations population?
- they come from other places and have been blighted by colonialism and sexual abuse
and physical abuse (by church authorities)
Why is the gap getting bigger? (First Nation and substance use)
racial stigma
access to treatment
social deteminants
intergenerational trauma
What are the 4 pillars of framework in people with substance use?
- PREVENT PEOPLE
WHO OVERDOSE
FROM DYING - harm reduction: keep people safe when using
- CREATE AN
ACCESSIBLE RANGE
OF TREATMENT
OPTIONS - SUPPORT PEOPLE
ON THEIR
HEALING JOURNEY
During Covid, Quebec population gambled online
increased
because there’s no access to onsite gambling, to have fun or pass time, isolation and loneliness
serotonin and dopamine influence behaviour and substance addiction
The act of gambling releases serotonin, increasing feelings of relaxation (mood stabilizer) therefore reinforcing the behavior.
In risk-taking behaviours (e.g. gambling) dopamine is released, and this neurological feeling of pleasure/reward reinforces the addiction
that some gamblers have low serotonin levels.
This low serotonin level can be genetic or due to environment (e.g. traumatic event).
Reasons for gambling
Financial issues, recent life trauma or loss, experiencing loneliness
Some medications may render some individuals more susceptible, e.g. medications given for Parkinson’s disease
Some conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disease, alcohol or cocaine addiction may increase likelihood
genetic/neurological (e.g. serotonin deficiency)
gender: most serious gamblers are male
easy accessibility: phone apps, online, terminals, casinos…
GA
Gamblers anonymous, to
help someone that might be affected by gambling
. Are the recovery steps written in any particular order? Why?
Yes, they need to be
done in order so that if someone tells you to get lost you can handle it emotionally.
Is my issue a financial issue or something else?
Gambling was never a financial
problem, it was an emotional problem
What is sponsorship? What’s its importance?
A sponsor is someone who’s been in that
position before abd they are there to help the gambler overcome their addiction
Will I ever gamble normally again?
NO, but have to think of it as a day by day process.
