PsychosocialTest 6 Flashcards
define substance
drug of abuse, a medication, or a toxin
define substance abuse
- -the ingesting (by eating, drinking, injecting, or inhaling) of any chemical that affects the body.
- -includes legal, illegal, and medicinal substances
- -culturally and socially defined
define abused substances
chemicals that alter an individual’s perception by affecting the CNS
- -often called mind-altering drugs
- ability to enhance or depress moods/emotions
define substance (drug) abuse
the excessive use of a substance that differs from societal norms
define habituation
occurs when an individual depends on a substance to provided pleasure or relief
define substance (chemical) dependency
occurs when a user must take usual dose of the drug to prevent the onset of withdrawal signs/symptoms
how drugs affect pregnancy
- first trimester of pregnancy, developing fetus is highly sensitive
- -may alter the placenta
- -ability to perform life-promoting functions
Fetal alcohol syndrome
- -result of excessive alcohol use during pregnancy
- -1 child/1000 live births
- -smaller at birth
- -small heads (microcephaly)
- -fail to develop normally
- -CNS deficits, mental retardation, hyperactivity
- -irritability, poor feeding habits
- -slow growth rates, developmental delays
- -behavioral problems, intellectual impairment
- -poor judgement
- -facial features (low nasal bridge, epicanthic folds, short eyelid tissues, short nose, small midface, indistinct infranal depression, thin upper lip)
how infants are affected when exposed to cocaine in utero
sleeping and eating problems. unusual levels of irritability, high pitched cries
children of parents who use both legal and illegal chemicals are likely to:
- -do poorly in school
- -have difficulty controlling their emotions
- -exhibit low self-esteem
- -repeat the cycle of substance abuse as they age
what is most frequently abused drug of adolescents
- -alcohol
- -alcohol related accidents are the leading cause of death
adolescents experiment with drugs for what reasons
- -recreational ways
- -social setting
- -relaxation
- -intoxication
define dual diagnosis
- -people with serious mental illness who also are addicted to or use chemicals or have other mental health problems
- -estimated 75% of the mentally ill has a dual diagnosis
- -ppl with personality disorders very likely to have co-occurring mental disorder (include anxiety, mood, and impulse control disorders)
how is alcohol metabolized and excreted
metabolized by the liver
excreted by the kidneys and lungs
effects of alcohol
- -low dose=rise in PH and HR
- -large dose=cardiac irregularities, blood vessels dilate (flushing of the skin)
- -rapid loss of body heat
- -numbness of the hands and feet
- -false sense of warmth
- -can actually reduce body T
define narcotics
- -CNS depressants
- -occur naturally, semi-synthetically, synthetically
- -often called opioids or opiates
semisynthetic narcotics include:
heroin
hydromorphone
thebaine derivatives
define heroin
- -white
- -bitter tasting powder
- -put in solution and injected
- -can be white to dark brown
- -black tar heroin=processed form of heroin. made in Mexico. 80% impurities
stimulants include
caffeine cocaine certain prescription drugs (amphetamines) appetite suppressants, methylphenidate (Ritalin)
large amounts of caffeine produce:
tremors tachycardia nervousness insomnia most prominent withdrawal symptom is headache
summarize cocaine
- -potent natural stimulant
- -relieve fatigue and hunger
- -available on the street as a white, crystalline powder
- -often contaminated with anesthetics or sugar
- -either injected or snorted
- -rush of energy, vigor, feelings of well being
- -last less than 1 hour
- -mental dependency can occur trying to reach initial high
- -overstimulates the nervous system
- -can dissolve the nasal septum, resulting in collapsed nose
summarize crack
- -type of processed cocaine
- -combining cocaine with ammonia or baking soda and heating it
- -produces chips or chunks of highly addicting cocaine
- -called rocks
- -usually vaporized in a pipe or smoked
summarize amphetamines
- -originally pharmaceutically manufactured
- -treat depression, narcolepsy, hyperactivity in children, obesity
- -strong stimulants with addictive properties
- -only available by prescription
summarize hallucinogens
- -natural and synthetic substances
- -alter one’s perception of reality
- -peyote cactus contains mescaline
- -LSD=ergot fungus, orally or inhaled
- -heighten awareness of reality, distortions in time, space, and body image
- -feelings of depersonalization loss sense of reality
- -flashbacks may occur after drug has worn off
- -can lead to various mental health problems
summarize Phencyclidine (PCP)
- -developed for use as animal tranquilizer
- -produces feelings of being separated from one’s body and environment (dissociation)
- -produces mild depression with low doses
- -schizophrenic like reaction with high doses
- -dangerous, behave in unpredictable, often violent ways
signs and symptoms of heroine use
constricted pupils depression drowsiness euphoria nausea respiratory depression
signs and symptoms of heroin overdose
shall respirations
clammy skin
convulsions
coma
signs and symptoms of heroin withdrawal
watery eyes runny nose sweating muscle cramps loss of appetites nausea chills tremors panic
signs and symptoms of PCP use (physical)
increased BP increased T muscle rigidity ataxia repeated jerking agitated movements vertical and horizontal nystagmus
signs and symptoms of PCP use (psychological)
belligerence (wants to fight) bizarre behaviors hallucinations impaired/poor judgment impulsive behaviors paranoia unpredictable behaviors
summarize cannabis
- -marijuana
- hemp plant, cannabis sativa
- -grows wildly
- -used to treat pain, decreased appetite, muscle and gastrointestinal tract spasms, asthma, depression
- used as an antibiotic, topical anesthetic
- rope, clothing, paper made from hemp
forms that cannabis is available in
- -marijuana=dried tops and leaves
- -hash=dried resin that seeps from the top and leaves
- -hash oil=distilled oil of hashish
–all usually smoked, but can be eaten
marijuana and other cannabis products produce:
- -sense of well being and relaxation
- -alter time perception
- -affect short term memory and concentration
- -motivation may be decreased
- -increase in hunger occurs
- -large doses can result in feeling of anxiety
designer drugs
- -created by underground chemists who alter the molecular structures of existing drugs
- -MDMA (ecstasy) STP, ice
- -mild hallucinogen, increased feelings, empathy; confusion, memory loss, decreased consciousness, seiuzres, coma
summarize ecstasy
- -designer drug
- -suppresses the need to drink, eat, and sleep
- -promotes severe dehydration and physical exhaustion
- -hyperthermia is leading cause of death
- -kidney or liver failure can result
morphine
one of the most effective painkillers
white powder
solution for injection
hydromorphone and thebaine derivatives
- -semisynthetic narcotics made form opium
- -hydromorphone called Dilaudid
- -used as analgesic, in liquid or tablet
- -more sedating and powerful than morphine
- -Thebaine derivatives up to 1000 times more potent than morphine. used by veterinarians for large animals only
sigs and symptom of stimulant use:
changes in personality anxiety tension anger restlessness rapid speech and movement
inhalants are popular for several reason
legal
inexpensive
easily available
have a rapid onset
significant complications of inhalants
sudden death from cardiac dysrhythmia respiratory depression hyperactive motor responses loss of coordination seizures
most commonly inhaled substances
alcohol solvents gasoline glue paint thinner hairspray spray paints
huffing
inhaled directly from the container
inhalant effects
feels a high great well being excitement sexual aggressiveness lessened sense of right/wrong loss of judgment
signs and symptoms of inhalant intoxication
delusions hallucinations anxiety confusion loss of inhibition slurred speech muscle weakness damage to the CNS
nicotine
legal inhalant produces relaxation increases alertness helps to relieve feelings of hunger used as a method to control body weight
difference between substance use and abuse
use=does not affect their ability to perform the activities of daily life.
abuse=occurs when use of the chemical becomes more important than the ADLs