Addiction and its treatment
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Transcript Addiction and its treatment
Addiction and its treatment
Rebecca Sposato MS, RN
Terminology – DSM IV
Intoxication: reversible syndrome specific to the
induced substance, includes physical and mental changes
Abuse: maladaptive pattern of use despite adverse
consequences including physical hazard, legal, economic
and social problems
Synergistic: Combination of substances increases effect
of both (alcohol and sedatives)
Antagonistic: Drug is taken to inhibit effect of other
drug (alcohol and energy drinks)
Terminology – cont.
Dependence: cluster of cognitive, behavioral and
physiological symptom resulting from repeated use of
substance, often results in relapse
Compulsive: intense cravings and use beyond
voluntary control
Tolerance: diminished effect of substance, requiring
increase in dose amount to maintain baseline effects
Withdrawal: Psychological and physical disturbance
resulting from lower presence of chemical in body
Drug Enforcement Agency DEA
Schedule of controlled substances:
One: High potential for abuse, no accepted safe medical
use, illegal except for approved studies. Ex.- heroin
Two: High potential for abuse and addiction with limited
accepted and restricted medical use. Ex. – oxycodone
Three: Potential for abuse with and guarded medical use.
Ex. – anabolic steroids
Four: low potential for abuse and limited dependence.
Accepted medical use Ex. Valium
Five: minimal abuse potential, may be prescriptive or
OTC. Ex cough syrup with codeine
www.justice.gov, 2011)
DSM –IV Criteria for Addiction
3 of more must be present within 12 months:
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Substance taken in greater amounts then intended
Unsuccessful efforts to reduce use of substance
Spending great amount of time in activities to obtain
substance
Impairment of social, occupational and recreational
activities
Using substance despite knowing of physical and mental
hazard to self
Physiology of addiction
Pre-existing low serotonin
levels and euphoric
sensitivity to endorphins
and dopamine
Most addictive chemicals
and behaviors stimulate
dopamine activity in the
nucleus accumbens
Even looking at pictures of
drug paraphernalia triggers
the addiction pathway
(Carlson 1998)
Alcohol
CNS depressant due to effects on GABA receptors, also
NMDA antagonist leading to impaired memory
High comorbidity rate with depression, anxiety,
personality disorders, systemic medical conditions and
societal problems
Addiction patterns
Steady drinkers: anti-social tendencies
Hereditary influences
Binge drinkers: emotional, anxiety disorders
Hereditary and environmental influences
(Carlson 1998)
Treatment - Physical
Labs – BAL, chem panel, CBC, liver panel, pancreas enzymes
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) – items
rated from 0-7
N/V, tactile disturbance, tremor, auditory disturbance, sweaty,
visual disturbance, anxiety, headache, agitation, orientation
Pharmacology –Vitamin/fluid/electrolyte replacement,
Ativan, B-blockers
Naltrexone: opiate receptor blockers
Disulfiram (antabuse): causes unpleasant physiological reaction
when combined with alcohol
Acamprosate (Campral): inhibits neuro excitability
Toprimate (Topamax): Inhibits dopamine in mesolimbic area
Treatment – Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics helping alcoholics: “A fellowship of men and
women who share their experience, strength and hope with
each other that they may solve their common problem and
other to recover from alcoholism”
Each chapter is stand alone and self-supporting, will not
endorse any organization or position
No membership fees or affiliation required for participation
in community meeting
Open – public availability, discuss progress of 12 steps
Closed – only those with drinking problem, discuss disruption
of alcohol in life
Twelve Steps of AA
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our
lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could
restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the
care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of
ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human
being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects
of character.
Twelve Steps of AA
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became
willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were
wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only
for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these
Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to
practice these principles in all our affairs.
Opiates and Narcotic
Includes: Heroin, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone,
hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, and demerol
Activate receptors for endorphins throughout the brain
Side Effects: impaired cognition, lethargy, constipation,
Signs of Overdose: Pinpoint pupils, LOC, bradypnea, and
cool/clammy skin. Treatment:
Naloxone (Narcan) – blocks recepetors, given IVP or IV drip.
Shorter half-life than most narcotics, requires heart monitor
Neltrexone: detox/addiction symptom management
Counseling
Cocaine/Crack
Stimulant originally derived
from Coca plant can be
formulated for IV, nasal, or
inhalation use
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=4OS2C4NemJI
Effects: local vasoconstrictor,
dilates pupils, tachypnea,
hyperthermia, hypertension,
delusions, anorexia,
insomnia, injection and nasal
irritation
Hallucinogens and Psychedelics
Includes: Lysergic Diethylamide Acid, mescaline, psilocybin
and phenylcyclidine piperidine, salvia.
Distort sense of self and sensory perceptions in low doses,
hallucinatory in higher doses
Most act on serotonin and dopamine receptors. Category
contains both CNS depressants and stimulants
Effects: safety risk, hyperthermia, agitated, delusions, pupil
changes/nystagmus, abnormal vitals
US lifetime prevalence rate: 14% in 2003
(http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/293752, 2011)
Amphetamines
Neuro-stimulant on the
dopamine pathways of the
mesolimbic system
Includes ecstasy and
methamphetamine (longer
lasting)
Ingredients to meth: cold
tablets, lye, ammonia,
iodine, match heads, ether,
Drano, brake fluid, butane,
hydrochloric acid
Effects: Increase all VS,
polydipsia, delusions,
mucosal irritation, skin
lesions, insomnia, anorexia
http:/http://www.lynnpolice.org/ingredients_of_meth.htm/, 2011)
More on Meth
Has one of the highest
relapse rates
Neuro-corrosive causing
structural and functional
changes in brain
MI and CVA risk
Annual prevalence 1.2%
Inhalants (Huffing)
Cleaners, glues, paint etc.
Call poison control
Most materials are toxic,
neuro-corrosive and
damaging to lungs, nose and
mouth
Signs: disoriented dysarthia,
chemical smell on breath,
irritated mucosa, nausea,
dysrythmia, seizures,
hypoxia
17 million Americans at
some point in life. Highest
rate among 12-18 y/o
(www.justive.gov, 2011)
Marijuana/Cannabis
Tetrahydrocannaibinol
(THC) derived from plant,
can be inhaled or eaten,
acts upon anandamide
neurons
Marinol: FDA approved
synthetic tablet for appetite
and pain management
Most used illegal drug in
and most profitable crop in
the United States
Effects: Euphoria, analgesia,
memory impairment, lung
damage, stimulates appetite
Treatment Programs
Over 50% of addicts will have relapse in disease
Highest rate in unsupported recovery
Lowest rate with combination of therapies
Inpatient: Medical, psych, detox,
Outpatient: Recovery centers, residential sobriety group
homes, individual/family counseling, support groups
Treatment Team: Medical MD, psychiatrist, LPC,
SW/CM, nurses, Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC),
BHT
References
Alcoholics Anonymous (2011) www.aa.org
Carlson, N. (1998) Physiology of Behavior (6th ed.). Allyn and
Bacon: Boston, MA.
Department of Justice (2011) www.jusitce.gov
Lynn Police Department (2011)
http://www.lynnpolice.org/ingredients_of_meth.htm
MedScape (2011). http://emedicine.medscape.com/article