Psychiatry: ILAs

Question 1

CAGE questionnaire?

Answer 1

C: Have you ever thought of CUTTING DOWN?
A: Do you get ANGRY when people talk to you about your drinking?
G: Do you ever feel GUILTY due to your drinking?
E: EYE-OPENER. Have you ever had a drink first thing to calm nerves or hangover?

Question 2

Other than the CAGE questionnaire, how might you gauge dependence on alcohol?

Answer 2

• Amount
• Withdrawal symptoms?
• Past attempts to stop
• Whether SYMPTOMS STOP when they drink? e.g. PTSD

Question 3

Potential risks if someone stops drinking suddenly?

Answer 3

• Withdrawal: sweaty, mood swings, peak incidence = 72 HOURS
• Depression/anxiety could worsen
• Higher rate of relapse if stop independently

Delirium tremens:

• High HR
• Low BP
• Tremor
• Palpitations
• Sweaty
• Feeling of insects under the skin (tactile hallucinations)
• Visual hallucinations
• Seizures
• Treat with CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE