Substance Use Disorders 1 Flashcards
Among adults 18 or older, of those who first tried alcohol at age _____, 13.8% classified with dependence or abuse
14 or younger
(1.8% if age at first use age 21 or older)
Prevalence of alcohol use disorders
- 20 million alcohol-abusing or dependent
- Similar to the rates of chronic diseases (asthma, DM, depression)
(economic loss of $134 billion in productivity)
Alcohol use MC in _______.
men
Alcohol use in hospitilized patients
25-50%
________ (3) disorders more likely to be dependent on alcohol.
- Antisocial personality
- Anxiety
- Mood
Relation of blood alcohol levels (BAL) to symptoms dependent on _______.
tolerance
(legally intoxicated when but alcohol is greater than 0.08 g/dL)
- BAL: 0-100 → symtpoms
- BAL 100-150 →
- BAL 150-250 →
- BAL > 250 →
- BAL > 350 →
- Initially feel tranquil, sedated
- uncoordinated, irritable
- slurred speech, ataxicc
- pass out, unconscious
- comatose, death
CAGE questionnaire
- Ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
- Annoyed by criticism of your drinking?
- Feel bad or Guilty about your drinking?
- Eye-openers? (steady nerves to get rid of hangover)
(one positive answer = 90% chance of alcohol disorder)
Be suspicious of patients who
- Ability to drink more than others
- Have accidents or false
- Blacking out
- Lying to family or co-workers
Abnormal laboratory findings for alcohol-use disorder
- High blood alcohol concentration
- Increased MCV, high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes (GGT acutely)
Physical findings alcohol use disorder (3)
- Enlarged red nose and reddened palms
- Enlarged liver and spider veins
- Gynecomastia and testicular atrophy
Medical complications of alcohol abuse include fatty liver, GI problems, pancreatitis, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, _____ (5).
- Cancers of many organs
- Cardiomyopathy → heart failure
- Cerebellar damage → ataxia
- Neuropathy
- Infections: TB, frequent pneumonias
(If pregnant → Fetal alcohol syndrome)
Psychiatric complications of alcohol abuse (6)
- Anxiety
- Dementia (from alcoholism)
- Depression
- Suicide
- Withdrawal problems
- Increased use of other drugs
Social complications of alcohol abuse (4)
- Accidents, fights & falls
- Legal problems
- Loss of jobs
- Marital and family problems
Alcohol use disorder: problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following occurring within a 12-month period:
- Drink more & longer than intended
- Desire or unable to quit
- Much time spent using or recovering from alcohol
- Craving
- Failure of obligations at work, school or home duties
- Use despite social or interpersonal problems
- Reduced social, occupational or recreational activities
- Use in situations where it is physically hazardous
- Use in spite of persistent physical or psychological problem caused or exacerbated
- Tolerance: the need for more for the desired effect or diminished effect of same amount
- Withdrawal: a characteristic syndrome of symptoms or the same or a closely related substance is taken to avoid/relieve withdrawal symptoms
Genetics of alcohol abuse
- Molecular genetics find differences in genes encoding for alcohol metabolizing genes
(High rates among other family members, Twin and adoption studies)
Mechanism of action of alcohol: neurotransmitters
- Positive reinforcement by dopamine action (mesolimbic DA pathway)
- Withdrawal symptoms due to disturbances in GABA and glutamine
Alcohol causes DA activation of neurons in the _______
mesolimbic structures is the main source of feelings of pleasure and therefore extremely rewarding (direct and indirect action)
(all drugs lead to dopamine)