Addiction

Question 1

What are the ICD-10 criteria of dependence?

Answer 1

• a strong desire to use the substance
• difficulties in controlling substance use
• a physiological state of withdrawal
• neglect of alternative pleasures
• persistence despite evidence of harm

Question 2

What are the questions in the CAGE questionnaire?

Answer 2

Have you ever felt you need to cut down your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

Question 3

When is the CAGE questionnaire used?

Answer 3

as a screening tool for alcohol dependence

Question 4

During childhood development of the brain, what matures first, the limbic system or the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 4

Limbic system (emotional) centre develops before the prefrontal cortex

Question 5

What are the effects of addictive drugs on the pre-frontal cortex?

Answer 5

Dopamine release in the pre-frontal cortex in healthy patients causes:
- ability to update information within the PFC
- ability to select new goals
- ability to avoid compulsive repetition of a behaviour
Addictive drugs provide a potent signal that disrupts normal dopamine-related learning in the PFC

Question 6

What is the treatment for opiate overdose?

Answer 6

Naloxone

Question 7

What treatment is used for heroin detox?

Answer 7

Buprenorphine (sublingual tablet)