Substance Use Disorder Flashcards
What is the characterized triad of substance abuse?
- Psychological dependence or craving
- Physiologic dependence
- Tolerance
What are commonly encountered abused substances?
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Prescription medication
Opioids
Benzodiazepines - Other illegal substances
What is the 3rd leading preventable cause of death in the United States?
Alcohol Use Disorder
What is “Risky Alcohol Use”
- refers to consumption of alcohol that puts patient at risk for health consequences
- Use is not so severe as to meet criteria for alcohol use disorder
Risky alcohol use may develop into
alcohol use disorder
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), estimates how much alcohol increases health risks for men and women?
-Men under age of 65
More than 14 standard drinks per week on average
Standard drink: 5 oz of wine, 12 oz beer
More than 4 drinks on any day
- Women and adults 65 years and older
More than 7 standard drinks per week on average
More than 3 drinks on any day
Criteria for Alcohol Use disorder
Diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe on the basis of the number of the following present (at least 2-3 required for mild):
- Recurrent drinking resulting in failure to fulfill role obligations
- Recurrent drinking in hazardous situations
- Continued drinking despite alcohol-related social or interpersonal problems
- Evidence of tolerance
- Evidence of alcohol withdrawal or use of alcohol for relief or avoidance of withdrawal
- Drinking in larger amounts for longer periods than intended
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce drinking
- Great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol
- Important activities given up or reduced because of drinking
- Continued drinking despite knowledge of problems caused
- Alcohol craving
The following are co-morbidities for what kind of substance abuse?
- HTN
- Cardiovascular disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Gastritis
- Esophagitis
- Neuropathy
Alcohol use
Alcohol use has a strong association to what psychiatric disorders?
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Eating disorders
- Other substance use disorders
- Sleep disturbances
- Suicidal ideation and attempt
PE findings:
- May be signs of withdrawal
Tremor, agitation
- Peripheral neuropathy
Problems with sensation, diminished DTRs, parasthesias, etc.
-Features of liver disease
Hepatic/splenic enlargement
Icterus/jaundice
Spider angiomata
Palmar erythema
Alcohol use disorder
CAGE questions
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
- Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever taken a drink first thing in the morning (Eye opener) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
- Known complication of Thiamine (B1) deficiency
- Two separate syndromes:
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE): acute syndrome
Korsakoff syndrome: chronic neuro condition
What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
- Direct damage to the brain caused by thiamine deficiency
Demyelination, atrophy, hemorrhages, vascular congestion
The following are signs and sx of:
- Triad
Encephalopathy
Disorientation, inattentiveness
Oculomotor dysfunction
Nystagmus most common finding
- Gait ataxia
Wide based gait
Slow, short spaced steps
- Most will not have triad
- Most common symptom: Confusion
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
What is korsakoff syndrome
- Late neuropsychiatric manifestation of Wernicke encephalopathy
- Striking disorder of anterograde and retrograde amnesia
Long term memory and cognitive skill impairment less common
What kind of Alcohol Withdrawl is life threatening?
Cold Turkey
Approximately how many patients experience some form of withdrawl?
Half
What percentage of patients experience severe sx of alcohol withdrawl?
20%