Drug Abuse and Addiction Flashcards
(32 cards)
Substance Abuse
use of a substance that modifies mood or behaviour in a manner characterized by a maladaptive use pattern.
What is drug addiction ?
This is a chronic relapsing brain disease that is chacteristised by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consquences.
VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES THAT DRUG ABUSE
CAN BE DEFINED
Legal
Moral
The medical model
* social
DRUG USE CONTINUUM
The use of psychoactive chemicals, licit or illicit, can objectively be labeled drug abuse only when the user becomes dysfunctional.
negative consequences of drug use
losing a job,
severe disruption of social relationships,
and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.
Addiction is
a complex illness characterized by repeated, compulsive, at times uncontrollable behavior that persists even in the face of adverse social, psychological, and/or physical consequences.
Addiction is characterized by:
- Preoccupation: The addict assigns a high priority to acquiring drugs. Social relationships and employment are jeopardized in the quest for drugs and the consequences of use.
- Compulsion: The addict continues to use drugs despite serious adverse consequences. They will often deny the connection between the adverse consequences and the use of drugs.
- Relapse: In the face of adverse consequences, addicts discontinue drugs but subsequently return to abnormal use.
WHY DO SOME DRUG USERS BECOME ADDICTED, WHILE OTHERS DON’T?
- Conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person.
- Your genes, mental health, family and social environment all play a role in addiction.
Risk factors that increase your vulnerability
include:
Family history of addiction
Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in
childhood
Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
Early use of drugs
Method of administration—smoking or injecting a
drug may increase its addictive potential.
What is ROA?
The route of administration (ROA) that is chosen may have a profound effect upon the speed and efficiency with which the drug acts
Two main class of ROA
Enteral
Parenteral
ENTERAL ROUTES
drug placed directly in the GI tract:
sublingual - placed under the tongue
oral - swallowing
rectum - Absorption through the rectum
SUBLINGUAL/BUCCAL
Some drugs are taken as smaller tablets which are held in the mouth or under the tongue.
Advantages of sublingual
rapid absorption
drug stability
avoid first-pass effect
Disadvantage of Sublingual
inconvenient
small doses
unpleasant taste of some drugs
Advantages of Oral
Convenient - can be self- administered, pain free, easy to take
Absorption - takes place along the whole length of the GI tract
Cheap - compared to most other parenteral routes
Disadvantages of Oral
destruction of drugs by gastric acid and digestive juices
effect is too slow for emergencies
unpleasant taste of some drugs
unable to use in unconscious patient
Advantages of rectal
unconscious patients and children
if patient is nauseous or vomiting
easy to terminate exposure
absorption may be variable
good for drugs affecting the bowel such as laxatives
PARENTERAL ROUTES
Intravascular (IV, IA)- placing a drug directly into the
blood stream
Intramuscular (IM) - drug injected into skeletal muscle
Subcutaneous - Absorption of drugs from the
subcutaneous tissues
Inhalation - Absorption through the lungs
About INTRAMUSCULAR?
very rapid absorption of drugs in aqueous solution
repository and slow release preparations
pain at injection sites for certain drugs
About INHALATION?
gaseous and volatile agents and aerosols
rapid onset of action due to rapid access to circulation
large surface area
thin membranes separates alveoli from circulation
high blood flow
About SUBCUTANEOUS
Slow and constant absorption
Absorption is limited by blood flow, affected if circulatory problems exist
Concurrent administration of vasoconstrictor will slow absorption
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE
- You’re neglecting your responsibilities
- You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high,
- Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble,
- Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships,
- You’ve built up a drug tolerance.
- You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- You’ve lost control over your drug use.
- Your life revolves around drug use.
- You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy
- You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you.
PHYSICAL WARNING SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than
usual.
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden
weight loss or weight gain.
Deterioration of physical appearance, personal
grooming habits.
Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired
coordination.
