Psychiatry - Addictive behaviour Flashcards
Define TOLERANCE
Higher dose of drug required to produce the same response
Define WITHDRAWAL
Transient state occurring whilst readjusting to lower levels of drug in the body
Define DEPENDENCE SYNDROME
Cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive symptoms in which the use of a substance takes on a much higher priority than other behaviours that once had a greater value
Outline 5 key criteria of a dependence syndrome
- Withdrawal
- Desire to take substance
- Difficulty in controlling substance taking behaviour
- Tolerance
- Neglect of alternative pleasures
- Primacy
- Persisting despite harmful consequences
What two features are seen in alcohol dependence which are not seen in drug dependence?
- Narrowing of repertoire
- Rapid reinstalment (people who stop when they start again wil get back to the level of tolerance they had previously, very quickly)
Allowed weekly units for men and women including per day
14
3 per day
More than how many units for women and men would be classified as a binge?
Women 6
Men 8
How many mls of pure alcohol in a unit
10
Give three risk factors for substance abuse
- Genetics
- Occupation - doctor, armed forces, journalist
- Social background - difficult childhood, parental separation, poor educational achievement
- Psychiatric illness
Presenting features of a patient intoxicated with alcohol?
- Initially relaxed and euphoric
- Then aggressive, irritated, weepy, disinhibited
- Impulsive
- Poor judgement
- Physical: ataxic gate, dysarthria, sedation, confusion, coma
- Narrowing of repertoire
Give two questionnaires that you could use to determine alcohol dependence?
- CAGE
2. AUDIT (alcohol use disorder identification test)
What investigations would you do in an individual suspected to have alcohol dependence?
- FBC (Macrocytic anaemia due to B12 deficiency)
- LFT (yGT rises with recent heavy alcohol use and raises transaminases)
- CAGE/audit
What are the 6 phases of the stages of change model?
- Pre-contemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
- Relapse
What would the management of a patient with alcohol dependence syndrome entail?
- Motivational interviewing
- Stages of change model - where are they
- Detoxification
What is the standard detoxification regime for a patient with alcohol dependence syndrome?
- Chlordiazepoxide to replace alcohol and prevent withdrawal symptoms including seizures and DT
- Thiamine (vit B1 as prophylaxis against Wernicke’s encephalopathy)
How do you decide whether a patient will have a detox regime at home or as an inpatient?
Do at home if uncomplicated using Chlordiazepoxide regime for 5-7 days
If patient drinking more than 30 units a day keep as inpatient
If patient has history of withdrawal fits, or comorbid medical or psychiatric illness or patient lacks support can be done as inpatient
How is Thiamine delivered to a patient in a detox regime?
Either IV or IM (Parenterally)
Not PO because poorly absorbed in the gut
What type of drug is chlordiazepoxide?
Long acting benzodiazepine
What is the purpose of giving benzodiazepines in alcohol detox?
Prevents delirium tremens
What is the name of the medical emergency that occurs as a result of alcohol withdrawal?
Delirium tremens
What two medications are used to prevent relapse in an individual with previous alcohol dependence syndrome?
- Acamprosate (anti-craving)
2. Disulfuram (mimics flush reaction so makes drinking unpleasant)
Give 5 alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
- AUTONOMIC Sweating, tachycardia, hypotension, tremor
- Insomnia
- Agitation
Why can dependent drinkers get delirium tremens when they stop drinking?
Alcohol is a CNS depressant
Stimulates GABA inhibitory system to reduce brain excitability
When don’t drink neuro pathways become hyper excitable and seizures can occur or if severe DT
How long after abstinence begins does DT tend to occur?
48
How long does DT last?
3-4 days
Mortality rate of DT?
10-15%