Week 9 Flashcards
What do you mean by the term ‘substance’?
Refers to a psychoactive compound (either natural or synthetic) that changes a person’s mental state.
What counts as a substance?
Alcohol
Tobacco
Caffeine
Cannabis
Inhalants
Amphetamines/methamphetamines
Opioids
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
What are the main mental health problems that may involve substances?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
OCD
Anxiety
PTSD & CPTSD
What are the key elements of a detailed substance use history?
*Types of substances
*The quantity and frequency of consumption for each substance
*How the substance is administrated
*When the person first started using the substance and any changes with such use over time
*The effect of the substance
*The impact of the substance use
*Family history of substance use and dependence.
Is alcohol withdrawal a real thing?
Yes! When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol ceases their drinking or reduces their intake, there is a risk they will experience alcohol withdrawal.
What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Coarse tremor of the hands, tongue eyelids
Nausea abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite
Paroxysmal sweats
Tachycardia
Insomnia
Irritability
How can alcohol withdrawal be assessed?
Using an Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (AWS)
What is motivational interviewing?
When a health professional ‘motivates’ a person to recognise and change an unhealthy or potentially risky behaviour.
What are common characteristics of a substance use disorder?
Recurrent use places the person in physically harmful situations
Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use
True of False - Two-thirds of all adults with substance dependence have previously experienced some type of physical or sexual trauma during childhood?
True
Which substance is considered the single most preventable cause of death in Australia?
Tobacco
Which substance is NOT linked to inducing or developing psychosis?
Caffeine
On a typical Alcohol Withdrawal Scale, what score would you give to someone’s Tremor if it was observed as ‘visible but mild’?
2
Dependence is described as?
When a substance takes on a much higher priority than other behaviours that once had greater value for the person and a desire (frequently strong, sometimes overpowering) to take the substance.
What is intoxication?
Reversible or transient condition following the administration of a substance. This can lead to disinhibition and altered mental state and increases risks of harm.
