LO1 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is a drug?
Any substance, natural or artificial, other than food, which by its chemical nature alters structure or function in the living organism.
What is an illicit drug?
A drug that is unlawful to possess or use. They may be available by prescription, but when manufactured or sold illegally, they are illicit.
What is addiction?
Chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug seeking and abuse by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain. Continued use of the addictive substance includes adaptive changes in the brain that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable cravings, and relapse.
What is drug misuse?
Use of prescribed drugs in greater amounts than, or for purposes other than, those prescribed by a physician or a dentist. For non-prescription drugs or chemicals such as paints, glues or solvents, misuse might mean any other than the use intended by the manufacturer.
What is drug abuse?
Use of a substance in a manner, amounts, or situations such that the drug use causes problems or greatly increases the chances of problems occurring. The problems may be social, legal, occupational, psychological, or physical.
What is drug dependence?
A state in which the individual uses the drug so frequently and consistently that it appears it would be difficult for the person to get along without using the drug. Stopping is very difficult and may cause severe physical and psychological withdrawal.
What is drug tolerance?
A reduced reaction to a drug following it’s repeated use. Increasing its dosage may re-amplify the drug’s effects. Indicative of drug use but is not necessarily associated with drug dependence or addiction.
What is dopamine signalling?
Dopamine is a key signalling molecule in the brain’s reward system. Repeated exposures to addictive substances can cause the dopamine pathway in the brain to adapt to the effects of these substances, requiring more of the substance to receive the same amount of reward.
What are the psychological factors influencing addiction?
- Thoughts, feelings, and behaviours surrounding and generated by misuse (triggers).
- Early and persistent problem behaviours and learning difficulties.
- Mental illness (anxiety and depression).
- Issues related to trauma, victimization, and extreme stress experiences.
- Motivators to reduce or stop drug use.
What are the social factors of addiction?
- Friends and family
- Performance at work and school
- Neighbourhood risks (violence, gangs, crime rates)
- Early access to drugs and alcohol
- Racial discrimination or prejudice
- Early life exposure to stressful situations
- Association with substance users
What is trauma?
Directly experiencing or witnessing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury. Can also be learning about a family member or close associate who has experienced such an event.
What are the two hypotheses for substance use disorder and trauma?
- Self-medicating to try to numb the pain and feelings
- Using substances can lead to traumatic events
What are the adverse childhood experiences?
- Abuse- physical, emotional, or sexual
- Neglect- physical and emotional
- Household dysfunction - mental illness, incarcerated relative, domestic violence, substance abuse, or divorce
What are the nursing interventions for trauma?
- Introduce yourself and what your role is
- Use non-threatening body positioning
- Explain what needs to be done and what you are doing to the patient
- Ask permission before touching the patient
- Protect the privacy of the patient
What are some signs of adolescent substance use?
- Problems at school- attendance or grades
- Resisting discipline or feedback- ignoring curfew
- Secrecy- locking bedroom, secret phone calls
- Withdrawal from relationships- family or friends
- Frequently asking for money or stealing
- Poor hygiene and eye contact
What are some factors related to geriatric substance abuse?
- Chronic pain/illness
- Slow metabolism
- Poly pharmacy
- Disability/reduced mobility
- Life transitions
- Grief
- Mood disorders
What are some of the risk factors in Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOF) Communities?
Systemic racism, not having means to pay for tx, fear of incarceration, lack of nuclear family structure, lack of visible role models, lack of access to tx facilities, lack of leadership and support within the community, lack of representation and support from public health policymakers, and disparities in health care including a lack of cultural awareness from healthcare providers.
What are the criteria for substance related disorders?
2-3 symptoms are mild
4-5 symptoms are moderate
Over 6 symptoms are severe
What is considered binge drinking?
5 or more drinks for men
4 or more drinks for women
Remission
Early remission: no symptoms for the past 3 months or longer
Sustained remission: no symptoms for 12 months or longer
Cravings: may still exist
Limbic system
Brain regulates- temp, emotions, coordination, breathing, etc.
Drugs interact with the limbic system to release the feel good emotion- the brain is rewarding something that brings pleasure.
What is the major feature of dependence?
The loss of control over drug seeking behaviour.
At first glance the lack of control seems to be voluntary.
Neurobiology suggests the compulsion is overwhelming (biochemical causation).
Dopamine and Addiction
The crucial neurotransmitter
Dopamine is involved with movement, motivation, emotional response, and pleasure and pain.
The mesolimbic dopamine system begins in the midbrain and connects to the limbic system in the amygdala and hippocampus and the medial frontal cortex.
Some drugs like cocaine block the reputable increasing the dopamine available in the synaptic cleft.
Other important neurotransmitters
Serotonin- role in emotional disorders, aggression (LSD acts upon).
Norepinephrine- regulates arousal to the environment (hormone) regulator of body functions hr and bp (cocaine indirectly acts upon).
Acetylcholine- excites neurons, muscle contractions (nicotine acts upon).
Endorphins- released during stress, pain (opioids act upon).
Endocannabinoids- a role in mood, pain (marijuana acts upon).
Glutamate- excites neurons (alcohol acts upon).
GABA- inhibits neurons (benzos act upon)
