Substance abuse Flashcards
Describe the DSM-V criteria for alcohol use disorder?
DSM-V criteria: (same general criteria for all substance abuse)
• Two or more of the following (within 12 months):
- Alcohol taken in larger amounts over a longer period of time than was intended
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use
- A great deal of time spent obtaining alcohol, using alcohol or recovering from the effects
- Craving or a strong desire to use alcohol
- Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfil major obligations at work, school or home
- Continue alcohol use despite have persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by alcohol
- Important social, occupational or recreational activities given up or reduced because of alcohol use
- Alcohol use continued despite the knowledge that it causes or worsens physical or psychological problems (e.g. ulcer disease, depression)
- Tolerance for alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g. elevated vital signs, tremors, delirium tremens, seizures)
Describe the complications of alcohol intoxication?
Hypoglycaemia, memory impairment (anterograde amnesia, alcoholic blackouts), respiratory failure, coma, death, trauma
Describe the complications of alcohol withdrawal?
- Withdrawal symptoms/sympathetic nervous system stimulation (elevated vitals, diaphoresis, flushing, tremor, insomnia, anxiety- 1-4 days post cessation or reduction)
- Withdrawal seizures (12-24hrs post last drink)
- Delirium tremens (24-96hrs after last drink, fluctuating consciousness, disorientation, elevated vital signs, tremors)
Describe the physiological complications of alcohol use.
- GI; hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, malabsorption leading to vitamin deficiencies (esp B), oesophageal varices, pancreatitis
- Neuro; Wernicke encephalopathy (usually reversible- triad of delirium, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia), Korsakoff syndrome (irreversible- anterograde amnesia, confabulation), cerebellar degeneration, peripheral neuropathy, hepatic encephalopathy, alcohol-induced persisting amnesic disorder
- CVS; cardiomyopathy
- Haem; macrocytic anaemia (increased MCV)
- Psychiatric; alcohol-induced psychosis, mood/anxiety/sleep disorders
- Other; alcohol-induced sexual dysfunction, foetal alcohol syndrome (LBW, intellection disability, facial and cardiac abnormalities)
Describe the treatment of alcohol abuse disorder.
Non-pharm:
- Goal is the pt regaining control of their alcohol use, best achieved through total abstinence and relapse prevention
- Mainstay of treating alcohol withdrawal is benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam), either tapering over several days or with symptom-triggered approach (AWS)
- 12-step programs are beneficial, addressing issues such as denial of addiction, feelings of responsibility/shame, discouraging enabling behaviour of loved ones, establishing social support systems (sponsor), sense of hope in community
- Vitamin supplementation; notably decreased thiamine due to decreased absorption and poor nutrition.
–> Acute thiamine depletion causes Wernicke’s encephalopathy
–> Chronic thiamine depletion causes Korsakoff syndrome
–> In both, IV thiamine should be given, PRIOR to IV glucose (administering glucose in thiamine-deficient state will exacerbate process of cell death and worsen the condition)
Pharm:
- 1st line: naltrexone and acamprosate
- 2nd line: Disulfiram, Topiramate and gabapentin
What is the DSM-V criteria for stimulant intoxication?
A. Recent use of a stimulant
B. Clinically significant maladaptive behaviour or psychological changes that developed during or shortly after use of substance
C. Two or more symptoms that develop during or shortly after use of the amphetamine or related substance, such as;
1. Change in heart rate
2. Pupil dilation
3. BP change
4. Perspiration or chills
5. Nausea or vomiting
6. Weight loss
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
8. Muscular weakness, respiratory depression, chest pain, arrhythmias
9. Confusion, seizures, dyskinesia, dystonia, coma
D. The symptoms are NOT cause by another medical or psychiatric condition
Describe the behavioural and physical changes of stimulant use?
• Stimulant behavioural changes;
- Euphoria or blunting
- Hypervigilance or hypersensitivity
- Heightened anxiety or irritability/anger
- Stereotyped behaviours
- Impaired judgement
• Stimulant physical changes;
- Mydriasis (dilated pupils)
- Autonomic instability (BP low/high, HR low/high)
- Chills or sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Psychomotor agitation/retardation
- Muscle weakness
- Chest pain or arrhythmias
- Confusion, seizures, stupor, dystonias, coma
- Weight loss, loss of appetite
Describe the effects of cocaine withdrawal.
Cocaine withdrawal (“crash”, lasts 2-4 days); dysphoria, excessive sleepiness, fatigue, increased appetite, psychomotor agitation or retardation, vivid/unpleasant dreams, insomnia or hypersomnia, cravings, depressed mood, suicidal ideation
Describe the psychological effects of cocaine intoxication.
Cocaine intoxication; hallucinations (visual and auditory), paranoia, delusions, risk-taking behaviour
Describe the DDx of cocaine intoxication.
- Difficult to differentiate between primary mood or psychotics disorders and stimulant use disorders. Diagnosis requires a period of abstinence up to several months
- Opioid withdrawal; diarrhoea, piloerection, yawning
- Sedative-hypnotic withdrawal; postural hypotension, psychomotor agitation, insomnia
- ETOH withdrawal; tremor, headache, hypotension
- Delirium tremens; delirium, autonomic hyperactivity, visual or tactile hallucinations
Describe the acute and chronic treatment of cocaine intoxication.
Acute
• Stimulant intoxication generally supportive
• Symptoms of intoxication clear in 48hrs
• Withdrawal is time limited and treatment not needed unless depressed mood is severe
• Antidepressant recommended if depressed mood does not clear within several weeks
• Antipsychotics and/or restraints are recommended in cases of psychosis or violent behaviour
• Hospitalisation may be necessary if delusions or paranoia are present and/or if pt is a danger to themselves or others
Long-term
• Multimodal; medical, psychological, social
• Goal is to establish and maintain abstinence
• Residential inpatient setting may be required to establish abstinence initially
• Frequent unscheduled urine tox screening aids abstinence maintenance
• Individual and group therapies (e.g. Narcotics Anonymous); focus on support, education, reduction of denial, building coping skills to avoid further drug use
• Behavioural therapies (e.g. clinical management, coping skill approaches, motivational interviewing) have all shown benefit in reducing drug use
• Family therapy; confronting pt with effects of their drug-addicted behaviour, and the family with ways they enabled this
How does opioid intoxication present?
Opioid intoxication: apathy, psychomotor retardation, constricted pupils, drowsiness
How does opioid overdose present?
Opioid overdose; pinpoint pupils, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, respiratory depression
How does opioid withdrawal present?
Opioid withdrawal; N/V, muscle aches, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, diarrhoea, diaphoresis, chills, autonomic hyperactivity (fever), dilated pupils, sweating, piloerection, depressed or anxious mood, yawning, insomnia
–> Opioid withdrawal mnemonic ‘SLUDGE’: Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, GI distress, Emesis
List the DDx of opioid withdrawal?
DDx:
- Alcohol and/or benzodiazepine withdrawal; can similarly demonstrate autonomic hyperactivity, but also anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, hyperreflexia, tremor, hallucinations, illusions, seizures, delirium and death
- Stimulant withdrawal; “crash”, fatigue, vivid or unpleasant dreams, insomnia or hypersomnia, hyperphagia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, depressed mood
- Tobacco withdrawal; anxiety, depression, irritability, poor concentration, increased appetite, restlessness, sleep disturbances
- Opioid withdrawal; does not cause tremors, confusion, delirium or seizures (seldom causes lethargic, tired)
- Opioid overdose; pinpoint pupils, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, respiratory depression