study guide exam 2 Flashcards
how do substances affect the brain
drugs of abuse taken in excess = direct activation of brain reward system involved in the reinforcement of behaviors and production of memories = intense activation of reward system leads to normal activities being neglected
- direct activation of reward pathways
- produces feeling of pleasures…“high”
characteristics of addiction (7)
- heightened memory of substance’s rewarding effects: chasing the dragon “high”
- reinforcement: seeking behavior
- compulsive use: compelled to use substance
- craving: drug of choice
- tolerance: takes more to do less
- dependence: psychological needs for drug
- withdrawal: what patient experiences when stopped taking drug
characteristics of alcohol use ds. (4)
chronic, relapsing brain disease with 4 symptoms:
- craving: needing
- loss of control: of use
- physical dependence: alcohol W/D
- tolerance: doing more for same affect
continuous use reward in changes in brain structure and function in reward or pleasure center…in limbic system
DSM V criteria for alcohol use disorder
problematic use of ETOH with clinically signifiant impairment, manifested by at least 2 of the following within a 12 month period:
- larger amounts over longer period than intended
- persistent desire to cut down or control use
- great deal of time spent in obtaining, using, or recovering from its effect: W/D
- craving/strong desire or urge to use
- failure to fulfill major role obligations
- continued use despite problems caused by use: CPS
- important social, occupational activités given up
- recurrent use in situations that are hazardous
- use is continued despite knowledge of problems
- tolerance
- W/D
mild: 2-3 sx
moderate: 4-5 sx
severe: <6 sx
effects of alcohol
- cancers (liver, esophagus, throat, larynx
- cirrhosis, Brian damage, harm to fetus, pancreatitis, gastritis, esophageal varices
- risks of death d/t accidents, homicides, suicides
prevalence of alcohol use ds.
- common ds.
- 4.6%: 12-17 year olds
- 8.5%: adults age 18 and older
- greater rates in men 12.4%;women 4.9%
- decreases in middle age, greatest among 18-29 year olds
- adults: native Americans and alaskans 12%; whites 9%; hispanics 9%; African Americans 7%; asian Americans/Pacific Islanders 4.5%
development & course of alcohol use DO
- 1st episode of intoxication in mid-teens
- onset: peaks in late teens or early-mid 20s
- W/D occurs after DO is established
- variable course, with periods or remission and relapse
- decision to stop (crisis) follows with weeks of abstinence, then limited periods of controlled or problematic drinking
- once intake resumes, rapid escalation & severe problems will develop once again
- most severe cases represent small proportion of persons with DO
- typical person with DO has more promising prognosis
- adolescents: conduct DO and antisocial behavior often co-occur
- most develop after age 40, 10% later onset
risks and prognostic factors (environmental)
- cultural attitudes towards drinking & intoxication
- availability
- personal experiences w/ alcohol
- stress levels
- heavy peer substance use
- exaggerated positive expectations & experiences with the effects
- suboptimal ways of coping with stress
risk and prognostic factors (genetic & physiological)
- runs in family
- rate 3-4 times higher in close relatives
- rate affected by greater number of affected relatives
- closer genetic relationships to affected person
- higher severity of alcohol related problems in those relatives
- 3-4 times risk in children whose parent had the DO even when adopted and raised by parents without the DO
- gene influence: certain phenotypes are known to identify high risk (preexisting schizophrenia or bipolar, impulsivity, any gene that modulates the dopamine reward system) & low risk (asians: flushed skin)
- impulse issues: any one gene variation likely explains only 1-2% of risks for these DO
red flag indicators
- blood alcohol concentration: can be used to judge tolerance to alcohol (0.08%mg/L Michigan)
- 150mg of ethanol per deciliter (dL): does not show signs of intoxication = some degree of tolerance (0.15% mg/L)
- 200mg/dL: most non tolerant individuals = severe intoxication (0.20%mg/L)
- past hx blackouts; unsuccessful attempts at stopping ETOH
describe alcohol withdrawal delirium (DT’s) (medical emergency, what, peak, CIWA protocol, CIWA score)
- medical emergency; mortality 5-10% rate
- death d/t MI, fat emboli, vascular collapse, electrolyte imbalance, aspiration pneumonia
- peaks 2-3 days after stopping drug, lasts up to 1 week
- CIWA protocol: measures 10 sx. (agitation, anxiety, AV hallucinations, clouding sensorium, headache, N/V, sweats, tactile disturbances. tremors
- score <8-10: minimal to mild W/D
- score 8-15: moderate W/D
- score >15: severe W/D
- categories: rate each from 0-7
what is tolerance
a person no longer responds to the drug in the way the person initially responded
what is with-drawl
set of physiological symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance
what is co-dependence
a cluster of behaviors originally identified through research involving the families of alcoholic patients
- exhibit overly responsible behavior (doing what others could just as well do for themselves).
what is substance abuse vs. dependence
substance abuse - can’t control intake of drug usage, feel like you need drug for specific feeling
dependence - physical body/mental dependence on drug
alcohol intoxication vs. withdrawal
alcohol intoxication: blood concentration of 80-100 mg ETOH mg/dL.
- s/sx: slower motor performance, decreased thinking ability, altered mood, and reduced ability to multitask, impaired judgement, exaggerated behavior, euphoria, lower alertness, slurred speech, blackouts, nausea, impaired VS, possibly death
alcohol withdrawal: occurs after reducing or quitting alcohol after heavy and prolonged use.
- s/sx: tremulousness (shakes, jitters), agitation, lack of appetite, N/V, insomnia, impaired cognition
tx. alcohol withdrawal
- benzodiazepines: tapering doses, to prevent seizures
- thiamine: prevents encephalopathy
- magnesium sulfate: reduces seizures
- anticonvulsants: for seizure control
- folic acid (Vitamin B)/multivitamins: correct deficiencies
nursing process: assessment SBIRT (what, refer, considerations, sx, tx)
- screening used standardized tools: non judgmental attitude is key
- may need to refer to addition specialists
- consider family assessments and codependence
- recognize s/sx of intoxication & alcohol withdrawal
- tx: rehab, ongoing support, medications
CNS depressants (OD, tx, W/D)
ETOH, Benzos, Barbs
- OD: cardiovascular & respiratory depression, coma, shock, convulsions, death
- tx: lavage/activated charcoal (takes toxins out), V/S, patent airways, IV fluids
- W/D: abrupt w/d may lead to death, detox with similar drug
CNS stimulants (OD, tx., W/D)
cocaine, amphetamines
- OD: assaultive, grandiose, paranoid, tachycardia, elevated BP, hyperpyrexia, convulsions, coma, death
- tx: antipsychotics PRN (calm pt.), cooling (fever), diazepam (seizures - reduce potential)
- W/D: antidepressants, dopamine agonist, bromocriptine
Opiates (OD, tx., W/D)
fentanyl, IV heroine
- OD: respiratory depression, coma, death
- Tx: narcotic antagonist, naloxone (narcan - emergency, blocks effects of opioids and reverses OD (respiratory depression)
- W/D: methadone taping (old school, prevents physical w/d, careful w/ drug transportation), clonidine-naltrexone detox (adjunct to w/d tx.), buprenorphine substitution (buprenorphine + nalazone = suboxone)
suboxone: cows scale to determine where patient is at in W/D
hallucinogens (intoxication, tx.)
LSD, mescaline, PCP (acid, shrooms)
- intoxication: paranoid ideas, anxiety, synesthesia, depersonalization, hallucinations
- tx: low stimuli, LSD (talk down), monitor VS, hydration
initial and active drug therapy
- maintains abstinence from substances
- demonstrates acceptance for own behavior (serious about tx.)
- continues attendance for treatment & maintains sobriety (AA, NA, CA, group therapy, CBT, etc.)
- attends relapse prevention program
- verbalizes cues that pose increased risk of using
- demonstrates new skills in dealing with troubling feelings (anger, loneliness, cravings, anxiety) - yoga, art
- awareness for need of ongoing treatment
psychotherapy (types, issues, defenses, responses)
- CBT, family, group, individual therapies
- issues: recognizing signals that were cues to drinking & drugs, learn different responses (know triggers)
- denial, rationalization, projection: common defenses
- emotional responses - intense & can create anxiety (coping mechanisms learned)
- responses of family & co-workers addressed (natural support system)
- new coping skills to prevent relapse & ensure prolonged sobriety