2) Substance Abuse

Question 1

Why might a person recovering from substance abuse relapse?

Answer 1

• Acute exposure to stressors
• Response to drug associated cues
• Response to seeing the drug

Question 2

Compare and contrast the two types of cocaine?

Answer 2

• Coke is a white power that is not readily smoked which lasts for about 20-30 minutes
• Crack is in the form of small lumps/rocks that makes a cracking when burnt while smoking (can be smoked in a pipe, glass tube or in foil) which only lasts for about 10 minutes

Question 3

What are some of the effects of cocaine?

Answer 3

• Awake
• Confident
• Top of the worold

Question 4

What is the opponent process theory?

Answer 4

The positives of drug become blunted and the patient takes the drug to avoid negatives, the movement from impulsive to compulsive.

Question 5

How much does heroin cost per gram?

Answer 5

Around £50…top knowledge

Question 6

Define when someone becomes substance dependent.

Answer 6

Someone is considered dependent on a substance when they have three or more of the following:

• Desire/compulsion to take substance
• Difficulties in controlling substance taking behaviour
• Physiological withdrawal state
• Evidence of tolerance
• Neglect of other pleasures/interests
• Persist despite -ve consequences

Question 7

What are some of the ADRs of cannabis?

Answer 7

• Anxiety, panic
• Suspicion, paranoia
• Problems with learning and concentration

Question 8

What type of perceptual abnormality is common in cocaine abuse?

Answer 8

Delusional parasitosis with formication (aka cocaine bugs)

Question 9

What type of perceptual abnormality is common in benzodiazepine withdrawl?

Answer 9

Kinaesthetic

Question 10

Name THREE drugs that can be used to prevent relapse in to alcohol abuse.

Answer 10

• Acamprosate
• Disulfiram
• Naltrexone

Question 11

Name THREE features of a dependence syndrome.

Answer 11

• Strong desire to consume
• Difficulties controlling urge
• Persistence despite harm
• Increased tolerance

Question 12

Suggest THREE features that may be observed in a patient withdrawing from alcohol.

Answer 12

• Seizures (6-48 hours)
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Excessive sweating & palpitations
• Headache
• GI disturbance

Question 13

Describe how acamprosate works in the setting of alcohol abuse management.

Answer 13

Prevents relapses by modulating glutamate (alcohol withdrawal causes this to rise) and GABA (alcohol withdrawal causes this to fall)