Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders

Question 1

What are examples of substance-related addictive disorders?

Answer 1

Includes 10 classes of drugs: alcohol; caffeine; cannabis; hallucinogens; inhalants; opioids; sedatives hypnotics and anxiolytics; stimulants; tobacco; other (or unknown) substances.

Question 2

What are common effects of cannabis?

Answer 2

• Loss of inhibition
• Spontaneous laughter
• Quiet and reflective mood
• Affected perception
• Confusion, anxiety and mild paranoia
• Altered thinking and memory
• Low blood pressure
• Increased appetite
• Cannabis and Psychosis

Question 3

What are the effects of ecstasy?

Answer 3

-Increased confidence and energy 
feelings of closeness to others
-Paranoia, aggression and psychosis 
poor muscle control and unsteadiness 
-Increased blood pressure & heart rate 
-Nausea; loss of appetite 
increased body temperature; sweating 
-Skin tingles 
-Dilated pupils 
-Heightened sensations (sight, hearing, touch) 
-Jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

Question 4

What are the effects of higher doses of cocaine?

Answer 4

-Sleep disorders
-Paranoia
tremors and muscle twitches
-Nausea and vomiting
rapid and weak pulse
-Heart attack
-Kidney failure
-Seizures
-Increased heart rate and body temperature
-Brain haemorrhage
-Stroke and convulsions.

Question 5

What are long term effects of cocaine?

Answer 5

• Depression
• Anxiety, paranoia and psychosis
• Eating disorders and weight loss
• Hallucinations
• Cerebral atrophy and impaired thinking

Question 6

What are the effects of amphetamines?

Answer 6

• Blurred vision
• Tremors
• Irregular breathing
• Loss of coordination
• Collapse
• Rapid pounding heart
• Violent or aggressive -Behaviour
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Coma

Question 7

What are the long term effects of amphetamines?

Answer 7

• Depression, anxiety and tension
• Paranoia
• Violence
• Panic and confusion
• Poor memory and concentration

Question 8

What are examples of depressants?

Answer 8

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Heroin
• Benzodiazepines

Question 9

What are examples of stimulants?

Answer 9

• Ecstasy
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Caffeine

Question 10

What are OT interventions for substance misuse?

Answer 10

• Challenge distorted thinking
• Avoiding drug-related sensory stimuli triggers
• Build new roles, activities, habits and routines, filling occupational void
• Learn stress management techniques
• Acquire appropriate social skills
• Activity analysis, grading, adaptation to achieve small changes
• Education (for clients and family members)

Question 11

What is motivational interviewing?

Answer 11

• A non-confrontational approach to addiction
• Focuses on collaboration
• Considered a good fit for young people with substance use problems.
• Questions aimed eliciting change talk:
• Disadvantages of the status quo
• Advantages of change
• Optimism for change
• Intention to change

Question 12

What are types of questions used for motivational interviewing?

Answer 12

• Evocative
• Elaborative
• Examples
• Looking back
• Look forward
• Queries
• Rating scales
• Explore goals and values