Week 5 & 6 Flashcards
What is the difference between hazardous substance use and harmful substance use
Hazardous substance use are substances, mixtures and articles that can pose a risk to health and safety.
Harmful substance use is a pattern of psychoactive substance use that is causing damage to health.
Define addiction
Being dependent to a particular substance or activity; changing the neurological pathways in a person’s brain
Explain the mechanism of action of addiction
- The brain’s reward pathway is designed to become stimulated to reinforce survival patterns (such as eating for fuel, or procreating), thus releasing endorphins and dopamine
- Some substance and behaviours can also trigger the same response from the reward pathway of the brain, resulting in euphoria
- This can lead to addiction as the person becomes dependent on these substances and behaviours to stimulate the brain’s reward pathway
Define dependence
it is the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
-it is the body’s psychological adaptation to long term substance misuse
-dependence on a substance can also occur in the absence of addiction
Explain the term withdrawal
A withdrawal syndrome can occur when substance use stops
-withdrawal syndrome is associated with the experience of a range of physiological and mental health symptoms that can be mild or in severe cases life threatening
What are the signs and symptoms of problematic substance use?
-the substance is taken in larger amounts over a longer period of time than intended
-there is persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control the substance
-a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance or recover for it’s effects
-craving, or a strong desire to use substance
-recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfil major role obligations
-continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by the effects of the substance
What are the treatment options for substance misuse?
-community/inpatient settings, addiction wards
-intervention and treatment modalities
-psychological therapies include group, family, and individual sessions
-motivational interviewing; CBT, AA, NA
-pharmacotherapy treatments; oral naltrexone, alcohol, opioids (methadone, buprenorphine)
What is the role of the nurse when caring for patients dealing with addiction?
encouraging fluids, nutrition, rest, monitoring vital signs, neurological observations, level of consciousness, detailed drug and alcohol assessment, document and record all observations
What are the social impacts of substance use?
poor relationships/friendships, social isolation/exclusion, neglect when younger, influenced to do the same as parents
What are the physical impacts of substance use?
exposure to more illnesses/diseases such as cancer or heart related conditions
What are the psychological impacts of substance use?
Anxiety and depression
What is substance use disorder?
When anything ingested alters or affects a person’s mood, cognition, thinking, perception, behaviour and consciousness
-also referred to as psychoactive, as these substances commonly have effects on the CNS
Define personality disorder
conditions associated with impairment in cognition, affectivity, impulse control and interpersonal functioning.
There are three clusters of personality disorders; cluster A, cluster B and cluster C
Define borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Personality disorder characterised by severe mood swings, impulsive behaviour, and difficulty forming stable relationships
It is indicated by 5 or more of the following:
-fear of abandonment
-a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
-identity disturbance
-impulsivity
-recurrent suicidal behaviour
-chronic feelings of emptiness
-inappropriate intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
What are the signs and symptoms of BPD?
-fear of abandonment
-extreme mood swings
-unstable relationships
-impulsive, self-destructive tendencies
-unstable self-image
-self-harm
-paranoia, disassociation
-chronic feelings of emptiness
Identify the genetic factors in regards to the causes of personality disorders
More common in those with a family history of substance misuse
Identify the biological factors in regards to the causes of personality disorders
First degree relative with a personality disorder diagnosis. ACE’s such as neglect and abuse
Identify the environmental factors in regards to the causes of personality disorders
Hx of childhood trauma. Low SES is correlated to the increased risk of the development of a personality disorder
What are the treatment options for personality disorders?
- Pharmacological management:
-antipsychotics
-antidepressants
-mood stabilisers - Talk therapies
-dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
-acceptance and commitment
-therapy (ACT)
What is the role of the nurse when caring for a person with BPD?
-risk assessment
-mental state examination
-short term goals
-long term goals
-circumstances which may cause or exacerbate risk
-personalised effective coping strategies in times of distress
-self-management strategies; using an electric band on their wrist/arm or the use of ice blocks
-emergency contact details (family, case manager etc)
-roles and responsibilities of primary care providers
-review dates
What is the difference between transference and countertransference?
Transference occurs when the consumer unconsciously transfers feelings or emotions that were experienced previously (usually from their clinician) to their current relationship with their children.
Countertransference occurs when the clinician unconsciously transfer their feelings of previous experience onto another consumer. Often associated with negative experiences with a condition
Define suicide
it is the deliberate act of ending one’s life and is considered an intentional act
What are some examples of suicide risk factors?
-being male
-socially isolated
-aboriginal/torres strait islander heritage
-AOD use
-LQBTQI+ community
-migrant/refugee population
-family violence
What is static risk? Provide examples
Static risks are risk factors fixed and historical in nature
-history of self injury
-previous psychiatric hospital admissions
-history of mental illness
-past childhood trauma
-history of substance use/misuse
-personality disorders/traits
-age, gender, marital status
