SUBSTANCE ABUSE Flashcards
As many as to ___ % of pregnant women admit
using illicit substances during pregnancy
10-20%
Common illicit substances used
marijuana, cocaine and
methamphetamine
___ have an increased rate of inhalant abuse and binge drinking
adolescents
the inability to meet major role
obligations, an increase in legal problems or risk taking
behavior or exposure to hazardous situation because of
an addicting substance.
substance abuse
when he or she has
withdrawal symptoms following discontinuation of the
substance, combined with abandonment of important
activities
substance dependent person
- a compulsive need to use a substance for its satisfying or
pleasurable effect.
addiction
physical and psychological sx occuring when
drug is no longer being used
withdrawal symptoms
ability of the body tissues to endure and adapt to continued or increased use of a substance
tolerance
- When sniffed into the nose or smoked in a pipe, absorbed across the mucous membrane and affect the CNS
- Acts at the nerve terminals to prevent the reuptake of dopamine & norepinephrine which in turn results in vasoconstriction, tachycardia & hypertension.
cocaine / crack
fetal effects:
Intracranial hemorrhage,
abstinence syndrome of
tremulousness, Irritability
and muscle rigidity
Stillbirth, prematurity,
IUGR, irritability,
decreased ability to
interact with
environmental stimuli,
poor feeding reflexes,
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, decreased
intellectual development,
prune-belly syndrome
cocaine
maternal effects:
Hyperarousal state,
seizures and
hallucinations, extreme
vasoconstriction,
hypertension,
cardiovascular and
pulmonary complications,
cerebral hemorrhage,
increased spontaneous
abortion, abruption
placenta, preterm labor,
still birth
cocaine
Methamphetamines
Neuro stimulant and
neurotoxin
amphetamines
maternal effects:
Malnutrition, tachycardia,
vasoconstriction
Develop blackened and
infected teeth
amphtamines
fetal effects:
Withdrawal symptoms,
IUGR, fetal death
Jitteriness and poor
feeding at birth
amphetamines
The most widely used
illicit drug among women
(pregnant and nonpregnant)
marijuana
maternal effects:
Increased incidence of anemia,
and inadequate weight gain
impaired coordination, memory
and critical thinking ability
Loss of short-term memory,
increased incidence of
respiratory infection
Reduced milk production
Excretion of the substance from
the breast milk
marijuana
fetal effects:
Unclear, more study needed,
irritability, tremors, sleep
problems, sensitivity to light
↑ risk of IUGR & SIDS
marijuana
- A popular hallucinogen
- Can be smoked, taken orally or
injected IV - Causes confusion, delirium and
hallucinations & feelings of
euphoria
phencyclidine (PCP)
maternal effects:
Hyperthermia
Hypertension
Diaphoresis
Possible coma
phencyclidine
fetal effects:
jitteriness, hypertonicity,
vomiting, diarrhea. In both
infants, microcephaly, similar
symptoms of narcotic
withdrawal.
phencyclidine
Used for the relief of pain such as morphine,
oxycodone, meperidine (Demerol), and codeine.
Can be obtained by prescription.
Have dramatic euphoric effect
narcotic agonists
Safe to use during pregnancy to treat a pregnant
woman who has a respiratory or cardiac code
related to opioid overdose
narcotic agonists
___ is the medication used to
reverse the effect of opioids agents in emergency
situations
Narcan (Naloxone)
maternal effects:
Spontaneous
abortion, PROM,
preterm labor,
increased
incidence of STI’s,
HIV exposure,
hepatitis,
malnutrition
narcotic agonists
fetal effects:
Fetal opiate dependence
IUGR, perinatal asphyxia,
intellectual impairment,
Severe neonatal
abstinence syndrome,
SGA, Fetal distress,
meconium aspiration,
neonatal infections,
neonatal death
narcotic agonists
“sniffing” or “huffing” of aerosol
substances.
Frequently abused by
adolescents.
model airplane glue, cooking sprays, and computer keyboard cleaner
inhalants
maternal effects:
Can cause respiratory
depression that can limit
oxygen supply to the fetus
- have similar effects to
alcohol dependency
inhalants
- CNS depressant & a
potent teratogen. - Incidence of abuse is
highest among women
ages 20-40 years
alcohol
maternal effects:
Spontaneous abortion
Malnutrition
Bone marrow suppression
Increased incidence of infections
and liver disease.
Withdrawal seizures
Delirium tremens
Inhibit maternal let-down reflex
alcohol
fetal effects:
Fetal demise, IUGR, Fetal
alcohol Syndrome (FAS),
congenital defects
May intoxicate Infant
alcohol
physical signs of substance abuse
dilated / constricted pupils
inflamed oral mucosa
evidence of needle
slurred speech
alcohol breath
behavioral signs of substance abuse
memory lapses
mood swings
hallucinations
frequent accidents
agitation, depression, euphoria
suicidal gestures
