Psychoactive Substance Abuse Flashcards
What are the types of psychoactive substances?
CNS depressants (GABAr)
Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
CNS stimulants (Monoamine reuptake inhibitors)
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Opiates
Heroin
Morphine
Pethidine
Hallucinogens
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Cannabinoids
Cannabis
Inhalants
Glue
Solvents
Petrol
What are the general stats on Sri Lankan substance abuse?
Alcohol and tobacco commonest
Urban > rural
Men»_space;» females
Majority occasionally use
Betel chewing rural > urban
Also heroin and cannabis
Binge drinking = 5+ drinks at once
What are the psychiatric complications of alcohol abuse?
Depression Anxiety Psychoses Dementia Sexual disorders Suicide
How do you assess alcohol abuse?
CAGE
AUDIT
Cut down
Annoyed
Guilty
Eye opener
AUDIT Abstained (0) Low risk (1-7) High risk (8-19) Dependence
What is dependence syndrome?
3 or more criteria
Present together
Within previous year
Strong desire or compulsion for intake Difficulties in controlling intake Withdrawal state Tolerance development Progressive neglect of life matters Persistence despite awareness of harm
What is brief intervention for alcohol abuse?
For high risk drinkers (8-19 on AUDIT)
Can be done in non specialized setting
3-4 sessions lasting 5-10 mins each
Identify risk level Provide feedback Enhance motivation Provide information Draw an action plan Follow up
How do you assess alcohol abuse in high risk and dependent users?
ESTABLISH PATTERN OF USE IS THERE DEPENDENCE MOTIVATION TO STOP PREVIOUS USE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO STOP CONSEQUENCES OF USE
What are the features of alcohol withdrawal?
UNCOMPLICATED within hours tremors Anxiety Nausea Retching Vomiting Sweating Lethargy Poor sleep Tachycardia Hypertension
COMPLICATED within days Delirium tremens Seizures Confusion Agitation Visual and tactile hallucinations Fever Tachycardia Hypertension Wernicke korsakoff
What are the consequences of alcohol abuse?
Physical
Psychiatric
Financial
Social
