Substance Use Flashcards
What is the mmost used substance in Canada?
Alcohol
How has the legalization of Cannabis changed the use/addiction of it?
In no way, the addiction/use range has not changed since then
Which Age range has seen a rise in cocaine use?
the 20-24 year olds
Are Gambling addicts changing in the last years?
They have gone down
What is going on with Methamphetamine related deaths?
On the rise
How are Opioids affecting Young Adults?
They are twice more likely to be the cause of an opioid overdose emergency.
What about the people experiencing homelessness?
The 30-39 years range is considerably higher in substance users. Having a house decreases substance use.
Name some of the factors that influence substance use
- SES
- Housing
- Pre-existing mental health condition
- Race & Ethnicity (First Nations & Opioid crisis)
- Gender (males > females)
- Personal history of trauma and abuse
What is the alcohol harm paradox? What are the causes of this?
The people with the lowest incomes do less heavy drinking, and yet, they are 2 times as likely to be hospitalized for conditions caused by alcohol.
This may be caused by higher stress levels, limited social support and a poor diet + physical inactivity.
Name some physiological effects of heavy drinking.
- Aggressive irrational behaviour, arguments, violence, depression, nervousness
- Alcohol dependence/memory loss
- Premature ageing (drinker’s nose)
- Throat & mouth cancer
- Frequent colds, lower immunity, lower infection resistance, higher pneumonia risk
- Heart muscle weakness, heart failure, anemia, impaired blood clotting, breast cancer
- Liver damage
- Vitamin deficiency, bleeding, stomach inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition
- Trembling hands, tingling fingers, numbness, painful nerves
- Pancreas inflammation
- Ulcer
- Men: impaired sexual performance
- Women: Risk of deformities at the birth of their child or low-weight babies
- Impaired sensation, leading to falls
- Numb, tingling toes, painful nerves
What are the Low-Risk alcohol guidelines in Canada?
No risk: 0
Low risk: 1-2
Moderate risk: 3-6
High risk: 7 and +
What are some of the consequences of drinking?
Breast cancer, heart disease, stroke.
Are there health benefits to alcohol?
No. Health risk increases with even 1 glass a week
What is the recommendation that cancer specialists made about alcohol?
Putting a similar label to the cigarette ones in Canada.
éwhat are some of the potential benefits to Canabis?
- may help with alcohol & opioid addiction
- may help with symptoms of depression, PTSD, anxiety
- may help with alleviating chemotherapy side effects
- may help with medical conditions such as MS and epilepsy
What are some of the Health Risks associated with Cannabis?
- Exacerbates mental health issues
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome
- 2-3 times more likely to get in a vehicular accident (DUI)
- Accidental use by children is possible
- Memory loss (smaller hippocampus = lower performance in decision making, attention & planning)
- Low growth hormone & thyroid hormone concentration (help with metabolism and brain function)
- Infertility
- Cancer risk higher for: Oral, lung, blood, larynx, pharynx & prostate
- Hallucinations/irregular emotions and behaviour
- enlarged liver hepatomegaly
- Hypotension (weakening of heart muscle)
- COPD, Lung, Cancer, Lung fibrosis, Pneumonia
- Loss of Body Immunity/Immunosupport
- teratogenesis (malformed child at birth)
What is CBD/CBD oil?
It is the oil of the non-psychoactive ingredient of marijuana (less than 1%)
What is CBD oil used for?
- reducing inflammation related to autoimmune disease
- minor joint & muscle pain
- reducing anxiety & nervousness
- helping to promote sleep
What is going on with Opioids in Canada
The number of deaths caused by opioids overuse is on the rise.
What is the real facts behind the opioids and tus “crisis”?
- Dosage can be lethal in one dose
- Sometimes, the dose is tainted with other, dangerous, drugs
- All users are at risk, not just addicts
- Not only from injections, from smoking it too
- It is not a “homeless street problem” as opioids are literally everywhere
Hat ois Naloxone?
it is a fast-acting drug that temporarily reverses opioid overdoses.
What are some of the symptoms of and overdose?
- blue lips/nails
- drowsiness/difficulty staying awake
- can’t be woken up
- choking/gurgling/snoring sounds
How to help with Alcohol and Support recovery?
Helping with addiction is about helping the whole other person. the 4 pillars are Preventation, Treatment, Harm reduction, justice & community safety
Why is there disproportional opioid use within the First Nations?
because of intergenerational trauma (residential schools, sexual abuse, colonization, etc.)
Why is the gap bigger between First Nations and non-First Nations in opioid use?
Because of Racism & Stigma, lack of access to treatment, social determinants and intergenerational trauma
What are the 4 pillars to follow to help with the opioid crisis that First Nations are experiencing?
- Prevent people overdosing from dying
- Keep people safe when using substances
- Create an accessible range off treatment options
