Substance Abuse Flashcards
When is a substance considered to be abused?
If it starts to causes physical, psychological or social harm
What does the term “at risk” mean in substance abuse?
Use a substance at a level which is associated with an increased risk of harm
What does the term “harmful” mean in substance abuse?
The use of a substance has caused health and social consequences
What does the term “dependence” mean in substance abuse?
Prolonged, regular use of a substance which has lead to the formation of addiction and withdrawal symptoms
What does the term “withdrawal” mean in substance abuse?
The affects the person feels when the substance is not taken.
What does the term “intoxication” mean in substance abuse?
The acute symptoms when taking a drug
What does the term “addiction” mean in substance abuse?
A behaviour which is continued despite problems to physical, social, mental or financial health
What does the term “reinforcement” mean in substance abuse?
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
What does the term “tolerance” mean in substance abuse?
A person will need more substance than before to get the same response due to the down regulation of receptors
Give 4 risk factors of alcohol abuse
Culture Family history Male Availability of alcohol Cost of alcohol
How many units of alcohol are recommended in a week?
<14 units a week
What is the definition of a binge drinker?
Males >10 units and females >7 units in one drinking session
What is a hazardous drinker?
> 14 units a week
What is a harmful drinker?
Male >50 units a week
Female >35 units a week
Give 5 features of alcohol dependence
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
Give 5 alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Tremors Agitation Nausea Retching Sweating Craving alcohol Worse in the morning Symptoms relieved by alcohol
What is delirium tremens?
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.
When do the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal start?
6-12 hours after last drink
How long after the last drink will an alcohol dependent patient experience delirium tremens?
48-72 hours
How is alcohol withdrawal treated?
Benzodiazepines (1st line)
Carbamazepine
What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
Thiamine deficiency causing mental confusion, ataxia and ophthalmoplegia, double vision and nystagmus
How is Wernicke’s encephalopathy treated?
IM thiamine
What is Korsakoff’s psychosis?
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.
What is alcoholic hallucinosis?
Heavy drinkers can experience recurrent auditory hallucinations usually of a life-threatening or derogatory natures.
