Substance Abuse Flashcards

1
Q

When is a substance considered to be abused?

A

If it starts to causes physical, psychological or social harm

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2
Q

What does the term “at risk” mean in substance abuse?

A

Use a substance at a level which is associated with an increased risk of harm

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3
Q

What does the term “harmful” mean in substance abuse?

A

The use of a substance has caused health and social consequences

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4
Q

What does the term “dependence” mean in substance abuse?

A

Prolonged, regular use of a substance which has lead to the formation of addiction and withdrawal symptoms

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5
Q

What does the term “withdrawal” mean in substance abuse?

A

The affects the person feels when the substance is not taken.

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6
Q

What does the term “intoxication” mean in substance abuse?

A

The acute symptoms when taking a drug

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7
Q

What does the term “addiction” mean in substance abuse?

A

A behaviour which is continued despite problems to physical, social, mental or financial health

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8
Q

What does the term “reinforcement” mean in substance abuse?

A

A short response time between taking a substance and feeling the effects will make it more addictive because the brain can associate the effects to the drug more easily

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9
Q

What does the term “tolerance” mean in substance abuse?

A

A person will need more substance than before to get the same response due to the down regulation of receptors

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10
Q

Give 4 risk factors of alcohol abuse

A
Culture 
Family history 
Male 
Availability of alcohol 
Cost of alcohol
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11
Q

How many units of alcohol are recommended in a week?

A

<14 units a week

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12
Q

What is the definition of a binge drinker?

A

Males >10 units and females >7 units in one drinking session

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13
Q

What is a hazardous drinker?

A

> 14 units a week

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14
Q

What is a harmful drinker?

A

Male >50 units a week

Female >35 units a week

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15
Q

Give 5 features of alcohol dependence

A
Feel compelled to drink 
Prioritise drinking over everything else
Increased tolerance to alcohol 
Relief drinking to stop withdrawal 
Drinking despite awareness of negative health effects
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16
Q

Give 5 alcohol withdrawal symptoms

A
Tremors 
Agitation 
Nausea
Retching 
Sweating 
Craving alcohol 
Worse in the morning
Symptoms relieved by alcohol
17
Q

What is delirium tremens?

A

Potentially fatal condition following alcohol withdrawal which normally lasts for 3-4 days. Presents with delirium, visual hallucinations, delusions, fear, agitation, aggression, coarse tremor, seizure, insomnia, dehydration.

18
Q

When do the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal start?

A

6-12 hours after last drink

19
Q

How long after the last drink will an alcohol dependent patient experience delirium tremens?

A

48-72 hours

20
Q

How is alcohol withdrawal treated?

A

Benzodiazepines (1st line)

Carbamazepine

21
Q

What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Thiamine deficiency causing mental confusion, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia, double vision and nystagmus

22
Q

How is Wernicke’s encephalopathy treated?

A

IM thiamine

23
Q

What is Korsakoff’s psychosis?

A

Late stage of Wernicke’s encephalopathy where there is a prominent impairment of recent memory and a disordering of time sense. There is an inability to learn new things.

24
Q

What is alcoholic hallucinosis?

A

Heavy drinkers can experience recurrent auditory hallucinations usually of a life-threatening or derogatory natures.

25
Q

What is the CAGE screening tool for alcoholics?

A
Cut down 
Annoyed when people question alcohol intake 
Guilty about alcohol intake 
Eye opener (drink in the morning)
26
Q

What is the ICD 10 criteria for alcohol abuse?

A

3 or more of:
Compulsion to drink
Difficulties controlling consumption
Physiological withdrawal
Tolerance to alcohol
Neglect to alternative activities to drinking
Persistent use of alcohol despite evidence of harm

27
Q

How is alcohol abuse treated?

A
Patient education
Oral thiamine
Benzodizepines
Disulfram 
Acamprosate
28
Q

What is the FRAMES acronym for alcohol abuse?

A
Feedback on risks and harms 
Responsibility for change comes from patient 
Advice to make changes 
Menu of options for making a change 
Empathy 
Self-efficacy reinforcement
29
Q

In what ways can alcohol abstinence be maintained?

A

Regular LFTs to montitor progress
Encourage attendance to AA meetings
CBT
Motivational interviewing

30
Q

Give 4 effects of smoking cannabis

A
Impairment in reaction time 
Impairment in information processing 
Reduced motor performance
Decrease in attention 
Exaggeration of preexisting mood 
Mellowness
Distortion of space and time 
Reddening of eyes
31
Q

Give 4 potential health risks of smoking cannabis

A
Anxiety and panic
Risk of progressing to more harmful drugs 
Cognitive impairment in ong term users
May provoke angina 
Increases risk of schizophrenia