Substance Abuse Flashcards
Depressants
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
Marijuana
Opioids
Narcotics
Abuse and psychological dependency
Promote relaxation and euphoria
Methadone
Used to treat opioid dependence
Goal is to reduce the patient’s dosage gradually so that eventually the patient can live permanently drug free
Relapse rates are often high, so the drug can be abused
Heroin
Causes a brief rush followed by a few hours of a relaxed, contented state
Large doses can stop respirations
Methadone used to treat dependence
Opioid Adverse Effects
Diuresis, miosis, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, hypotension, constipation, sweating
Opioid Drug Withdrawal
Peak Period: 1-3 days
Duration: 5-7 days
Signs: drug seeking, diaphoresis, lacrimation, diarrhea, elevated blood pressure
Symptoms: desire for drug, muscle cramps, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, malaise
Opioid Drug Withdrawal Treatment
Block opioid receptors so that use of opioid drugs does not produce euphoria
Naltrexone, vivitrol, naloxone
Stimulants Adverse Effects
Restlessness, syncope, tremor, irritability, insomnia, euphoria, confusion, anxiety, headache, chilliness, cardiac dysrhythmias, circulatory collapse, cerebral hemorrhage
Stimulant Withdrawal
Peak Period: 1-3 days
Duration: 5-7 days
Signs: social withdrawal, psychomotor retardation, hypersomnia, hyperphagia
Symptoms: depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoid delusions
No specific pharmacologic treatments
Depressants Adverse Effects
Drowsiness, sedation, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of coordination
Depressants Withdrawal
Peak Period: 2-4 days or 4-7 days
Duration: 4-7 days or 7-12 days
Signs: Increased psychomotor activity, agitation, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, delirium, convulsions, elevated BP and pulse rate
Symptoms: anxiety, depression, incoherent thoughts, euphoria, hostility
Treatment involves tapering of the drug over a course of 7-10 or 10-14 days
Most dangerous in terms of withdrawal
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Causes CNS depression by dissolving in lipid membranes in CNS
Respiratory stimulation or depression, vasodilation, increased sweating, diuretic effects
Effects of Chronic Alcohol Ingestion
Nutritional and vitamin B deficiencies (Wernicke's encephalopathy, Korsokoff's psychosis, polyneuritis, nicotinic acid deficiency encephalopathy) Seizures Hepatitis Cardiomyopathy FAS
Ethanol Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms
Elevated blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature
Insomnia
Tremors
Agitation
Classified as mild, moderate, and severe
Ethanol Withdrawal Treatment
Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice
CHLORODIAZEPOXIDE (Korsokoff’s psychosis)