Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse

Children of alcoholics are 4x more likely than the general to develop problems with alcohol.

Adults had reported that their first drink of alcohol was younger than 10.

Using a drug in a way that is inconsistent with medical or social norms and despite negative consequences.Substances- can be used and abused.

Polysubstance abuseIntoxication- use of substance that results in maladaptive behavior.

Withdrawal syndrome- negative psychological and physical reactions.

Detoxification- process of safely withdrawing from a substance.

EtiologyThe exact cause of drug use, dependence and addiction are NOT known but various factors are thought to contribute to the development of substance related disorders.Biologic and GeneticPsychological Social and EnvironmentalBiologic & GENETIC FactorsChildren of alcoholic parents are at higher risk for developing alcoholism and drug dependence than are children of nonalcoholic parents.

Psychological FactorsSome theorists believe that inconsistency in the parents behavior, poor role modeling, and lack of nurturing pave the way for the child to adopt a similar style of maladaptive coping, stormy relationships and substance abuse.Social & ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Cultural factors Social attitudes Peer behavior Laws Cost AvailabilityCultural Consideration

Muslim Native American Asian ancestry People of Japanese descent Alaska natives

Seven Classes of Substances and the Effects of Intoxication, Overdose, Withdrawal and Detoxification

Alcohol

Intoxication- slurred speech, unsteady gait, lack of coordination, impaired attention, concentration, memory and judgment.

Overdose- vomiting, unconscious, and respiratory depression.

Withdrawal- usually begins 4 to 12 hours. Symptoms include hand tremors, sweating, elevated and blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety and nausea or vomiting.

Transient hallucinations, seizures & delirium.

Sedatives, Hypnotics, & Anxiolytics

Benzodiazepines- most frequently abused drugs in this category.

Intoxication and Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of alcohol.Treatment includes: gastric lavage followed by ingestion of activated charcoal and saline cathartic. dialysis

Withdrawal

Symptoms include pulse, blood pressure, respirations and temperature.

Lorazepam which actions last for about 10 hours.

DetoxificationManaged medically by tapering the amount of the drug the client receives over a period of days or weeks.Stimulants (Amphetamines, Cocaine)

Drugs that stimulate or excite the CNS.

Amphetamines were popular in the past, they were used by people who wanted to lose weight or to stay awake.

Cocaine, an illegal drug with no clinical use in medicine.

Methamphetamine is particularly dangerous and highly addictive and causes psychotic behavior.

IntoxicationEffects include high or euphoric feeling, hyperactivity, hypervigilance, talkativeness, anxiety, hallucinations, perspiration or chills, dilated pupils, nause and chest pain.Overdose

Can result in seizures, coma and deaths are rare.WithdrawalNot life-threatening

Marked dysphoria is the primary symptom

Crashing

Stimulant withdrawal is not treated pharmacologically.

Cannabis (Marijuana)Cannabis sativa is the hemp plant that is widely cultivated for its fiber to make rope and cloth and for oil from its seeds.It is the most widely used illicit substance in the U.S.Research has shown that it has short effects of lowering intraocular pressure, but is not approved for the treatment for glaucoma.

IntoxicationImpaired motor coordinationInappropriate laughterImpaired judgment and short term memoryDistortions of time and perceptionsDry mouthHypotensionTachycardiaOverdosesIt does NOT occur

WithdrawalMuscle achesSweatingAnxietyTremors

IntoxicationApathy

Lethargy

Listlessness

Impaired judgment

Drowsiness

Slurred speech

Unconsciousness

DeathOpioidsWithdrawalNauseaVomitingDysphoriaLacrimationRhinorrheaSweatingDiarrheaYawningFeverinsomnia

Hallucinogens

Salvia divinorumAre substances that distort the users perception of reality and produce symptoms similar to psychosis including hallucinations and depersonalization.

Examples of Hallucinogens are: Mescaline

Psilocybin

Lysergic acid diethylamide

Designer drugs such as ECSTASYIntoxication

Muscle aches