Lecture 5.1: Addiction and Substance Misuse

Question 1

What are the WHO Addiction Criteria? (5)

Answer 1

• Withdrawal State
• Tolerance
• Persisting with substance misuse despite clear evidence of harmful
  consequences
• Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests
• Strong desire or compulsion to take

Question 2

…CHANGE…Addiction Cycle in Brain

Answer 2

Ventral Tegmental Area secretes Dopamine
Dopamine stimulates Nucleus Accumbens
This stimulates the Pre-Frontal Cortex
Pre-Frontal Cortex secretes Glutamate
Glutamate stimulates Nucleus Accumbens

Question 3

Why do people engage in substance misuse? (5)

Answer 3

• Pleasure
• Entertainment
• Enhance creativity
• Peer influence
• Relieve boredom
• Relieve anxiety, depression, stress, pain..etc

Question 4

What are the Major Catagories of Drugs?

Answer 4

• Depressants (sedatives) – alcohol, tranquilisers
• Stimulants – caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine
• Opiates – morphine, heroin, codeine
• Hallucinogens – lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
• Cannabis

Question 5

What percentage of the population drink hazardously or harmfully?

Answer 5

24%

Question 6

What percentage of men and women show some dependence on Alcohol?

Answer 6

• 9% Men
• 4% Women

Question 7

CAGE Questions

Answer 7

• Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? (Yes/No)
• Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking? (Yes/No)
• Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? (Yes/No)
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to
get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)? (Yes/No)

Question 8

What drugs can be used for Alcohol Detoxification? (3)

Answer 8

Treating patients with withdrawal symptoms during medically assisted alcohol withdrawal (in or out-patient) using:
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Hemineverin (Chlormethaizole)
• Diazepam (valium)

Question 9

Psychosocial Interventions (4)

Answer 9

• Motivational Interviewing
• Social Support
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Counselling and Advice

Question 10

What are the Levels of Alcohol Use? (7)

Answer 10

• Abstention
• Low Risk Drinking
• Hazardous Drinking
• Harmful Drinking
• Moderate Dependence
• Severe Dependence
• Complex Needs

Question 11

What is AUDIT-C?

Answer 11

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test