wamss notes substance abuse disorders

Question 1

DSM-5 addiction criteria

Answer 1

Pattern of use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress manifested by 2 or more of the following in
1year:
- Taken in larger amounts or longer than intended
- Desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down
- Craving or strong desire for stimulant
- Recreational use dispute failure to fulfil major obligations at work/home
- Continued use despite recurrent social interruption as a result
- Important activities given up as a result of use
- Recurrent use of the stimulant in situations its potentially hazardous
- Tolerance
- Need for increased amount to achieve same effect
- Marked diminished effect with same use
- Withdrawal (withdrawal Sx or use to prevent Sx)
- Characteristic withdrawal Sx
- Substance taken to prevent withdrawal Sx

Question 2

acute intoxication

Answer 2

A transient condition following the administration of alcohol or other psychoactive
substance, resulting in disturbances in level of consciousness, cognition, perception, affect
or behaviour, or other psychophysiological functions and responses as a result of the drug

Question 3

drug misuse

Answer 3

Misuse of prescription medications used for mood alteration or intoxication. May involve

medication changing hands from pt to which it was prescribed

Question 4

harmful use

Answer 4

A pattern of psychoactive substance use that is causing damage to health. The damage
may be physical (hepatitis) or mental (e.g. episodes of depressive disorder secondary to
heavy consumption of alcohol).

Question 5

substance dependance

Answer 5

An adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in
withdrawal upon cessation of drug use. These can be mild (caffeine) or even life
threatening (for alcohol). This is known as the withdrawal syndrome

Question 6

substance addiction

Answer 6

Addiction is a psychological condition that describes a compulsion to take a drug or engage
in other harmful behaviours.
Ppl can be depended without being addicted. Pt can have sx of withdrawal + dependence
without the psychological cravings eg pain pts

Question 7

alcohol abuse disorder

Answer 7

A recurrent pattern of harmful alcohol drinking resulting in mental and physical health problems