Module 4 Alcohol and Depressants Flashcards
acetaldehyde
An alcohol metabolite (also present in tobacco smoke) that is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic.
alcohol by volume (ABV)
A universal measure of alcohol concentration in beverages, refers to milliliters of pure ethanol in 100 milliliters of the beverage (at 68o F) converted to a percentage.
alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
An enzyme abundant in the liver and involved in the first-step metabolism of alcohol.
alcohol poisoning
Term used for alcohol overdose resulting from drinking too much too quickly, raising blood alcohol concentration to high levels; potentially fatal.
alcohol proof
An indication of alcohol content in a beverage; in the U.S., proof is twice the ABV percentage.
alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)
Term covering a variety of known morphological and organ system changes resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure.
alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD)
Term covering a range of central nervous system changes (often characterized by dementia) caused by an adult’s prolonged alcohol misuse.
alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND)
Refers to a range of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disabilities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure.
aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)
An enzyme abundant in the liver involved in the second-step metabolism of alcohol (metabolizes acetaldehyde produced in the first step).
ASAM levels of care
Set of guidelines established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine matching recommended treatment intensity to assessment of individuals in need of alcohol or other substance misuse/use disorder treatment.
binge drinking (heavy episodic drinking)
Consuming 4 or more drinks within about 2 hours by women and 5 or more drinks in 2 hours by men.
blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Refers to the percent of ethanol in a person’s blood (sometimes referred to as blood alcohol level or BAL).
delirium tremens
Confusion and other symptoms (e.g., shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating) related to alcohol withdrawal in some persons who have a history of heavy drinking.
denatured alcohol
Ethanol that has been altered by additives to discourage consumption; may be poisonous/toxic or simply unpleasant (taste/smell).
detoxification (detox)
A first step intervention to manage withdrawal from alcohol (or other substance) and used as a prelude to entering treatment.
ethyl alcohol (ethanol or “grain” alcohol)
Names for the main chemical in alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits).
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
A continuum of conditions related to prenatal alcohol exposure.
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
On the FASD continuum, involving brain damage, impaired growth, and specific morphological differences of the face/head; may be full or partial outcome.
heavy drinking
8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.
heavy episodic drinking (HED)
See binge drinking.
high-risk drinking
4 or more drinks on any day (binge drinking) or 8 or more drinks per week for women (heavy drinking); 5 or more drinks on any day (binge drinking) or 15 or more drinks per week for men (heavy drinking).
standard drink measure
A way of indicating alcohol consumption, each standard drink equivalent is determined as 14 grams of pure ethanol in a beverage.
teratogen
Any factor that disrupts fetal development, such as chemicals (including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs), x-rays, viral or bacterial infections.
benzodiazepines
A class of (tranquilizer) psychoactive drugs used to treat anxiety, seizures, insomnia, or as a muscle relaxant; may be used in managing alcohol withdrawal under medical supervision.
barbiturates
A class of sedative, CNS depressant sleep-inducing drugs, sometimes used for the treatment of headache, insomnia, and seizure disorders.
cross-tolerance
Developing resistance to a specific substance due to repeated exposure to a similar substance, even if that specific substance was not previously used.
hypnotic
A compound that promotes sleep or drowsiness.
non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics/sleep medication
Drugs with sleep-promoting effects similar to benzodiazepines without or with less significant their common negative effects, such as rebound insomnia, withdrawal, tolerance, respiratory depression, memory impairment.
sedative
A compound producing a calming effect and/or reducing excitability in the central nervous system.
tranquilizers
Medications used to decrease anxiety and increase relaxation/calm state.
