NUR 211 Substance Abuse Notes

Substance Use Disorder/Alcohol
Classes of Psychoactive Substances
 Alcohol
 Amphetamines and related substances
 Caffeine
 Cannabis
 Cocaine
 Hallucinogens
 Inhalants
 Nicotine
 Opioids
 Sedatives, hypnotics

Substance Dependence DSM-IV Criteria
A great deal of time is spent
 Obtaining the substance
 Using the substance
 Recovering from the effects
Social, occupational, recreational activities given up or decreased.

Predisposing factors of substance abuse:
 Biological
 Psychological
 Emotional
 Social/Cultural
Categories of Most Abused Substances
 CNS Depressants
o Have a relaxing effect and enhance use of other drugs.
 Stimulants
o Increase attention, alertness, and energy
 Opioids
o Reduce intensity of pain
o Produce euphoric effect




Alcohol

, -CNS Depressant
-Rapidly absorbed in the bloodstream

Alcohol Abuse
 Chronic/progressive multisystem disease
 Characterized by the inability to control the consumption of alcohol

Symptoms of intoxication
 Slurred speech
 Lack of coordination
 Memory loss
 Impaired judgment/ impulse control
 Nausea/vomiting
 Unconsciousness/coma

Symptoms of Withdrawal
 Can occur 4-6 hours after last drink
 Hand Tremors
 Sweating
 Increased Pulse
 Increased BP
 Anxiety
 Nausea/Vomiting

Severe Withdrawal
 Often called DTs (Delirium Tremors)
 Hallucinations
 Shaking
 Nausea/Vomiting
 Flu like symptoms

Alcohol Effects on Body
 Pancreatitis – nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, wt. loss, diabetes mellitus
 Cirrhosis of the Liver
 Leukopenia
 Sexual Dysfunction
o Women – decrease or lose ability to become pregnant
o Men – diminished libido, decreased sexual performance and impaired fertility




Peripheral Neuropathy
-Peripheral nerve damage
-pain, burning, tingling or prickly sensation of extremities
-direct result of deficiencies in B vitamins