Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Unit 8 > Addiction and substance use disorders > Flashcards

Addiction and substance use disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What are the key features of addiction or substance abuse?

A

A compulsion to take a substance
Escalating the amount used
Withdrawl symptoms in cessation
Tolerance develops
Neglect of other activities
Persistent use despite harm
Loss of self control
Return to negative patterns of behaviour after cessation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is substance misuse?

A

Using non-therapteutic doses of drugs in a way that is potentially harmful but not yet dependent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the difference between hazardous and harmful drinking?

A

Hazardous is above the limit and has the potential to cause damage
Harmful drinking - clear evidence of alcohol related problems for usage, e,g liver disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the neurobiology dopamine theory of addiction?

A

Dopamine reinforcement pathway - VTA to nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex
Is an endogenous opiod system
Feels of pleasure and reward
Repeated use and feeling of pleasure reinforces behaviour by operant conditioning
Require more substance to have the same affect as neurotolerance develops.
This is within the mesolimbic system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How does operant conditioning link to repeated drug use in addiction?

A

Reward - dopamine reward pathway is activated
Punishment - avoid the withdrawl symptoms by using the substance again

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the link between risk factors, drug use and addiction?

A

Biology, genes, environment and personal variation are all risk factors for drug use
After the drug has been used brain mechanisms reinforce patterns of addiction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the psychosocial impacts of legal and illegal drug classification?

A

Legal drugs are more commonly abused as easier to access and less social barriers to their use
More ‘harmful’ class A drugs are less accessible, more discrimination against their users so are rarer patterns of addiction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How are illegal drugs classified?

A

From class A, B and C
Class A being percieved by parliament as the most harmful and class C as the least harmful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the deal with class A drugs?
Examples and prison sentences

A

Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, Cocaine, magic mushrooms, injecting amphetamines
Up to 7yrs in prison and an unlimited fine for possesion
For production - life in prison and unlimited fine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are some examples and the prison sentences for class B drugs?

A

Ampehtamines
Cannabis
Methylphenidate
Possession - up to five years in prison and/or unlimited fine
Production/supply - 14yrs in prison and/or unlimited fine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some examples of and prison sentences for class C drugs?

A

Tranquilisers, painkiller, gamma hydroxybutyrate
Possesion - 2yrs prison and/or unlimited fine
Supply/production - up to 14yrs in prison and/or an unlimited fine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the patterns of alcohol dependence and use?

A

10% men and 3% of women show signs of dependence
Strong link to lots of cultures and rituals
93% of men and 87% of women drink alcohol
Responsible for over 1 million hospital admission a year in England

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the mechanisms of action of alcohol?

A

Increase cell wall fluidity and permeability
Enhancement of GABA-A transmission (reduce anxiety)
Release dopamine in mesolimibc system (feel good)
Inhibit NMDA glutaminergic transmission (Pain killer)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the effects of alcohol on the user?

A

Disinhibition, elevation of mood, increased socialisation
Unstable mood, impaired judgement, aggressiveness, slurred speech and ataxia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is alcohol normally metabolised?

A

Ethanol is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase to acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde is broken down by aldehyde dehydrogenase to acetyl CoA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is alcohol metabolised when there is excess/high alcohol consumption?

A

The microsomal ethanol system
Breaks ethanol down into acetaldehyde by reducing NADPH+

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the clinical importance and mechanism of disulfiram?

A

Used to prevent alcohol consumption
Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase
Leading to more rapid accumulation fo acetaldehyde if alcohol is drank, this causes nause and unpleasant affects thought to discourage alcohol intake

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are some of the risk factors for alcohol dependence?

A

Genetics - first degree relative who showed dependence, ALDH variation in asian groups is less effective
Psychological trauma or abuse
Behavioural - modelling and peer influences
Social cultural - deprivation, poor familial support

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 alcoholics?

A

Type 1 - late onset, typically caused by interaction between environment and genes, strong psychological dependence, equally common in males and females
Type 2 - early onset, due to genetic vulnerability, often antisocial PD and novelty seeking behaviour, more common in men than women

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are some of the chronic medical complications of alcohol use?

A

Hepatic disease - fatty liver, hepitis, cirrhosis
Gastro-intestinal problems: such as pancreatitis, metaplasia, impaired absorption and diahorrea
Cancers
Cardiovascular: High BP, cardiomiopathy, atrial fibrilation
Respiratory; desensitises cillia.
Genito-urinary : erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are some of the acute health problems associated with medical use?

A

Becomes toxic between 300-400mg/100ml of blood
Unconsciousness, coma and death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are some of the neurological complications of alcohol use?

A

Wernick-korsakoff syndrome - from vitamin B12 deficiency
Peripheral neuropathy
Brain stem and cerebellum disfunction

23
Q

What is foetal alcohol syndrome?
Symptoms and cause

A

Foetus; growth restriction, CNS problems, failure to thrive, facial abnormalities (flat midface, short nose, thin upper lip, short palpebral fissures)
Mother: increase risk of miscarriage
Acts directly on foetal tissue and indirectly on the placenta

24
Q

What are the psychosocial problems associated with alcohol use?

A

Relationship breakdown, domestic violence and risky sexual behaviour
Financial debt and bankrupcy
Homelessness
Job loss
Driving offences and increased criminal behaviour
Antisocial behaviour

25
What are the psychiatric complications of alcohol use?
Withdrawl - siezures and acute confusion Alcohol induced amnesia Hallucinations Delusional disorder and pethological jelousy Wernick-Korsakoff syndrome Cognitive impairement and dementia Exaccerbate mental health problems (anxiety, depression and suicide rate)
26
What is included in an assessment of a patient with alcohol problems?
Consider lifetime and current usage patterns Signs of dependence Physical/mental health Problems related to alcohol Previous treatment attempts Family history Motivation and attitude to change Blood testing
27
How do we screen for alcohol use?
AUDIT survey CAGE survey Breath testing Blood testing - increased MCV, GGT,ALT and CDT
28
What are the principles used in alcohol dependency treatment?
Motivational interviewing by stages of change model Establish goals - SMART Abstinence vs controlled drinking - control withdrawl symptoms Detoxification Maintain progress
29
What is alcohol withdrawl syndrome?
Typically occurs 6-24hrs after last drink Lasts 5-7days, peaks at 24-48hrs includes sweating, tremor, tachycardia, high BP, anxiety and insomnia Seizures are rare
30
What is delirium tremens?
A severe form of aclohol withdrawl (5%) Is potentially life threatening Onset 48hrs-72hours after last drink Lasts 3-10days Fever, anxiety, agitation, delirium, reduced consciousness, hallucinations 15% mortality if left untreated
31
What are the different treatment for alcohol withdrawl?
Vitamin B replacement Benzodiazepines to reduce seizure Fluids and electrolytes Antipsychotic meds for agitation and hallucinations
32
What is wernickes encephalopathy?
Acute neurological conditions from lack of B12 in alcoholics - ataxia - visual problems - confusion Treated with Thiamine, is a medical emergency Can be predicted by vomitin, upper GI disease and carbohydrate load
33
What is korsakoff syndrome?
Memory disorder that develops from untreated wernickes encephalopathy results from structural changes in mammillary bodies and hippocampus Persisting short term meomory loss and confabulation
34
What medication may an alcoholic be given?
Disulfarian - unpleasant feeling when drink Acomprosate - thought to regulate levels of GABA and Glutamate Naltrexone - opiod antagonist, blocks reward Nalmefene - opiod antagonist
35
What are opiates? Examples How are they taken?
origin: opium poppy ' Papaver somniferum' Can be anaglesics - codeine, morphine, pethidine Heroine is an illegal diamorphine Taken by smoking or injecting Act on Mu, Kappa and delta receptors
36
What are the acute effects of opiates?
Drowsiness Nausea/vomit Cool moist skin Slow deep respiration Hypothermia Hypotension Pin point pupils Coma Death Respiratory depression (Co2 and O2 not exchanged properly)
37
What is the treatment for opiate overdose?
Naloxone 0.4-2mg iv opiod antagonist
38
What are the symptoms of opiod withdrawl?
nasal discharge Dilated pupils Lacrimation Sweating Swaeting Hot and cold flushes Bone and muscle pain Diahorrea Abdominal cramp
39
What are the treatments for opiod withdrawl?
Symptomatic management Encourage - reduction rather then stopping opiod use.
40
What treatment priniciples are useful in opiod addiction?
Needle exchange - fee and confidential needle supply to ensure safety Community prescribing of methadone -commmunity opiod Suboxone - to treat withdrawl and addiction Narcotics anonymoous
41
What are the many different providers of drug treatment?
NHS, through GP surgeries Voluntary organisations and charities Private sector organisation - the priory Prisons
42
What are some examples of sedatives?
Benzodiazepines Hypnotics Barbituates Can develop cross tolerance due to similarities in structure and effects
43
What are the effects of sedatives?
Euphoria Sedation Nystalgia Ataxia Impaired memory Paradoxical agitation (not desired)
44
What are the symptoms of overdose on sedatives?
Coma Respiratory depression Hypotension Hypothermia Death
45
What are the symptoms of sedative withdrawl?
Similar to alcohol but more intense and longer lasting Affects are worse for shorter lasting agents
46
What are the general effects of stimulants?
Increased performance and wellbeing Excitement Insomnia Promiscuity INcrease pulse Increase BP Dry mouth Urinary retention Arrhythmias, MIs and CVAs Down drawl can cause exhaustion, lethargy and depression
47
What are some examples of stimulants?
Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines
48
What is cocaine and how is it taken?
Is a stimulate Can be injected or snorted Can be taken heated with an alkaline base 'crack' Is an alkaloid derived from erthroxylum cocoa
49
What are some of the effects of intoxification of cocaine?
Euphoria increased energy increased libido Insomnia Aggressive behaviour Psychosis Tachycardia Hypertension Vasoconstrction Stoke and MI
50
What are the effects of cocaine withdrawl?
Suicidal thoughts or depression from acute monoamine depletion Fatigue Hypersomnia Hyperphagia (eating)
51
What are some examples of hallucinogens?
LSD - acid Synthetics - Smiles or N-bomb Mescaline -peyote cactus Magic mushrooms - psilocybin PCP phencyclidine - angel dust Ketamine
52
What is canabis?
Also known as marijuana Made from the leaves of the canabic plant Skunk - more potent version made from specially bred plants THC - is the active component Smoked by joint or bong Can also be made synthetically hallucinogen
53
What is the most commonly used synthetic drug?
Canabis
54
What are the effects of taking canabis?
Euphoria Anxiety Distortion of space and time red conjunctivate Dry mouth Tachycardia May predispose to schizophrenia

Unit 8 (22 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions