Substance Misuse and Dependency Lecture Notes

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, legislation, classifications, and clinical effects related to substance misuse and dependency based on lecture notes.

Substance Misuse

Refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Dependence Syndrome

A cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena developing after repeated substance use, including a strong desire to take the substance and difficulties in controlling its use.

ICD-$10$ Diagnosis of Dependence

A definitive diagnosis requiring three or more criteria (e.g., tolerance, withdrawal, compulsion) to have been present together during the previous year.

Tolerance

A state where repeated use of a substance leads to the need for increased doses to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal Symptoms

A combination of physical and mental symptoms occurring when substance use is ceased or reduced; for heroin, peak symptoms occur $24-48\,\text{hours}$ after the last dose.

Going Cold Turkey

The non-medical and unsupervised withdrawal from a substance.

Misuse of Drugs Act $1971$ Class A

Classification for the most dangerous drugs, including heroin, methadone, ecstasy, LSD, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Misuse of Drugs Act $1971$ Class B

Classification including cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, ketamine, methylphenidate, and synthetic cannabinoids.

Misuse of Drugs Act $1971$ Class C

Classification including anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), and khat.

Misuse of Drugs Regulations $2001$

Regulations that permit the use of controlled drugs in medicine, grouping them into $5$ schedules based on required control levels.

Psychoactive Substances Act $2016$

Legislation making it an offense to produce or supply psychoactive substances, while excluding food, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and caffeine.

Heroin

An illegal drug often dissolved and injected or inhaled; street names include Smack, Gear, Brown, Horse, and Skag.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Succinctly known as Mandy or Dolphins, this drug causes alertness and affection but risks dehydration and overheating.

Cannabis

A substance that can be smoked, vaped, or ingested, causing sedation, relaxation, and food cravings.

Cocaine

A stimulant that can cause dose-dependent psychosis and nose disintegration due to its vasoconstrictive properties.

Codeine

A drug indicated for cough and pain that acts as a pro-drug to morphine, which is the active metabolite producing euphoric effects.

Misused OTC Antihistamines

Over-the-counter medications liable for misuse, including Cyclizine, Diphenhydramine, and Promethazine.

Prescribed Medicines Liable for Misuse

Includes Opioids, Benzodiazepines, Z drugs, Gabapentinoids, Methylphenidate, GLP-$1$ drugs, Venlafaxine, and Anabolic steroids.

Role of the Pharmacist

Involved in identification, assessment, intervention/advice, referral, and recovery for substance misuse.