Lecture 6 - Substance Use Flashcards
How can drugs be categorized?
By their chemical composition, legality and effect in intoxication. Main one is effect in intoxication
How are drugs categorized under effect in intoxication?
By whether they are a stimulant, depressant or Hallucinogen
What are the types of stimulants and what do stimulants do to your body?
Stimulants increase heart rate, neurological activity, blood pressure, energy and tachypnea (increase in abnormal rapid breathing). Types are: tobacco, caffeine, amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine
What are the types of depressants and what do depressants do to your body?
Depressant depress brain function, alertness and lower inhibition. Depressants are alcohol, cannabis, opiates, GHB, benzodiazepines (eg valium and zanex which help people to sleep and reduce anxiety), and inhalants.
What are the types of hallucinogens and what do hallucinogens do to your body?
Hallucinogens distort your perception and may have stimulant or depressant properties. It does this by opening up other pathways in the brain when processing information. Examples are LSD, Ketamine, magic mushrooms, datura and synthesised mimetics.
How does the DSM-5 define a diagnosis of Subtance Use Disorder?
Have to meet 11 criteria over a 12 month period which causes clinically significant distress or impairment. Criteria: withdrawal, failure to fill major role obligations, tolerance, recurrent social or interpersonal problems, reduced social, occupational activities, unsuccessful efforts to control substance use, continued use despite problems, cravings.
How do substance abuse drugs affect the brain?
ALL substance abuse drugs open up dopamine (reward) pathways in the synapse in the brain.
What has research on rats shown?
Studies on rats have found that addictive drugs have higher salience over survival drives (eg food/sex/water) which are considered very high drives for mammals. Due to these findings, we think that drugs that increase dopamine pathways produce a higher amount of dopamine than any other activity can produce (walking on the beach, sex etc). - up to 1100% INCREASE! After a while, normal day acitivies do not feel good because of the overuse of dopamine receptors. People who hae higher chance of being addicted to drugs also show a lower amount of dopamine receptors.
What is a substance induced disorder? Which is the highest affecting substance
A substance induced disorder is a disorder which may not ever have occured if a substance wasn’t used. Alcohol is the leading substance for this. Eg drinking alcohol can increase onset of psychotic disorders, bipolar, anxiety, depression etc.
What are common misconceptions physicians may have about people with substance use problems? What are some peoples attitudes?
That they resist and ignore advice, they are ungrateful, they are non-compliant and have frequent relapses. People may think that dont deserve treatment as they put themselves in that situation.
What was the major legislation put forward in 1996 based on WHO recommendations?
National Drug Strategic plan. Aimed to minimize harm by reducing health, social and economic consequences of Alcohol and other drug related substances on individuals, family, friends and the community
What are the assumptions of Harm Reduction. In what way can behaviour be changed in a client?
Assumptions of harm reduction are based on:
*drug use is universal
*almost all use drugs
*use of mind altering drugs are common
*illicit drug use is not different from any other drug use.
Clinicians implement programs based on:
Stages of Change model
Processes of change (engines behind behaviour change)
Motivational Interviewing - GUIDE towards behaviour change, resolution of ambivalence (conflicting attitudes) results in behaviour change, arguing does not. EFEP - Engaging, focusing, evoking and planning. Trying to engage client in ‘change talk’ and coerce what you want o hear by asking client certain evoking questions.
What are some helpful strategies for changing substance use behaviour?
talking therapies, meaningful activities, supportive relationships, healthy lifestyle and strategies implemented for problems and symptoms
