Drug is defined as
“any substance that, when taken into the living organism, may modify one or more of its functions.”
This definition conceptualizes ‘drug’ in a very broad way,
PSYCHO-ACTIVE SUBSTANCE?
Substance affecting the way a person:
Thinks
Feels
Acts
A psychoactive drug is one that is capable of altering mental functioning.
These drugs could be Licit or illict
PSYCH-ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
4,000 plants yield psycho-active substances,
About 60 of these drugs have been in constant use, somewhere in the world, throughout history –
Cannabis, opium, cocaine, tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol predominantly.
Range of psycho-active substances continues to expand.
DRUG USE BEHAVIOUR
DRUG ABUSE is the use of a drug without medical
prescription.
DRUG DEPENDENCE refers to the
progressive adaptation of cells, circuits, and organ systems in response to excessive exposure to a drug.
dependence represents a new equilibrium of physiological functions in response to the repeated, continuous exposure to a drug and the related organism’s compensatory counter-mechanisms.
DRUG ADDICTION a chronic, often relapsing brain disease with strong craving and compulsive use despite adverse consequences and loss of control over its use.
FOUR CARDINAL FEATURES OF DRUG ADDICTION
Loss of control over the use of drug.
Continuous use despite of adverseconsequences.
Compulsive use
Craving when the drug is withheld.
PATTERNS OF DRUG USE DISORDERS
There are follows 4 patterns:
Acute Intoxication
Withdrawal State
Dependence Syndromes
Harmful Use: continuous drug use, despite theawareness of harmful medical and/ or social effect of the drug being used.
A pattern of physically hazardous use of drug i.e. drivingduring intoxication
PSYCHO-ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Alcohol
Opioids i.e. opium, heroin
Cannabinoids, i.e. Cannabis, Marihuana
Cocaine
Amphetamines and other sympathomimetic drugs
Hallucinogens i.e. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), Phencyclidine(PCP)
Sedatives and hypnotics i.e. barbiturates
Inhalants i.e. volatile solvents
Nicotine, and
Other Stimulants i.e. Caffeine
Mephedrone/Ecstacy/Club Drugs
ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL STATES
Alcoholic Tremulousness
Alcoholic Hallucinosis
Rum Fits
Delirium Tremens
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Essential component to
Motivate the patient to undergo treatment– to enhance
pharmacotherapy
Have better compliance
Prevent dropout from the treatment
Relapse prevention
Long-term abstinence
Can be used alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, combination
therapy is more effective
CANNABIS DEPENDENCE
Derived from Cannabis sativa, has many chemicals
affecting cannabinoid receptors,
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) most prominent.
Acute effects: euphoria, relaxation, dream-like state,
altered perception, anxiety, paranoia, increased appetite.
160 million cannabis users in the world, most common
dependence on a illicit drug.
OPIOID DEPENDENCE MANAGEMENT WITHDRAWAL SIGNS
Elevated HR & BP, diaphoresis, restlessness,
pupil size, bone or joint aches, runny nose or
tearing, GI upset, tremor, yawning, anxiety or
irritability, gooseflesh skin
Score items stage to withdrawal
NARCOTICS
Lower perception of pain & include Opium, Morphine, Codeine, Oxycodone,
Heroin. OPIOIDS ARE:
Natural Alkaloids of opium
Morphine
Codeine
Thebaine
Noscapine
Papaverine
Synthetic Compounds
Heroin
Nalorphine
Hydromorphine
Methadone
Dextropropoxyphene
Meperidine (Pethidine)
Cyclazocine
Levallorphan
Diphenoxylate
