Recreational Drugs

Question 1

Give 3 symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Answer 1

Sweating. High pulse/blood pressure. Shaking. Agitation. Confused. Seizures. Delirium tremens (rapid onset of confusion).

Question 2

Alcohol withdrawal affects which two types of receptors?

Answer 2

Glutamate receptors. GABA receptors.

Question 3

Give 2 differentials of alcohol withdrawal.

Answer 3

Agitated delirium. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (brain disorder - involuntary movement/poor vision/confusion). Thiamine deficiency (loss of appetite/heart failure).

Question 4

Give a treatment for alcohol withdrawal.

Answer 4

Assess motivation to maintain abstinent. Link in with alcohol services. Give Pabrinex (used to treat symptoms that can be caused by a lack of these vitamins).

Question 5

Euphoria, impaired memory, salivation, loss of consciousness and bradycardia are all symptoms associated with…

Answer 5

Gamma butyrolactone (GBL)/Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) - liquid ecstacy.

Question 6

Unconsciousness, low blood pressure, low pulse, reduced respiratory rate and small pupils are all symptoms associated with…

Answer 6

Opioid toxicity.

Question 7

Naloxone is an antagonist medication for which condition?

Answer 7

Opioid toxicity.

Question 8

SCRA stands for…

Answer 8

Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists.

Question 9

SCRA is similar to what Devani drug?

Answer 9

Weed.

Question 10

Reward, learning and memory, sleep and appetite are all affected by which drug?

Answer 10

SCRA

Question 11

Both benzodiazepines and anti-psychotics can be used to in response to which drug?

Answer 11

SCRA

Question 12

Agitation, tachycardia, hyoptension, anxiety, bradycardia and aggression are all symptoms of what type of intoxication?

Answer 12

Acute SCRA.

Question 13

What is used to reverse alcohol addiction?

Answer 13

Fomepizole.

Question 14

What is used to reverse cocaine addiction?

Answer 14

Benzodiazepine.

Question 15

Give 2 effects of alcohol.

Answer 15

Severe confusion. Vomiting.

Question 16

Why can alcohol withdrawal lead to seizures/cell death?

Answer 16

As alcohol inhibits calcium ion influx, it prevents glutamate release, to reduce neuronal excitation. No alcohol does the reverse and increases calcium influx and hyper excitability.