Topic 12: Substance Use Disorders

withdrawal symptoms

• nausea

• vomiting

• tremors

• increased HR/BP/RR

• seizures

T or F: effects of withdrawal/abstinence from alcohol usually start within 4-12 hours of last intake of alcohol and can last 5-7 days

True. Effects of withdrawal/abstinence from alcohol usually start within 4-12 hours of last intake of alcohol and can last 5-7 days

withdrawal meds

benzos & adjudct meds with benzos

examples of benzos

chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, lorazepam

chlordiazepoxide/diazepam/lorazepam (benzos) therapeutic effect

reduces risk of seizures & maintains vital signs

examples of adjunct meds with benzos

clonidine, propranolol, carbamazepine

clonidine & propranolol (adjunct meds with benzos) therapeutic use

decrease HR & BP

carbamazepine (adjunct meds with benzos) therapeutic use

decrease seizures

clonidine/propranolol/carbamazepine (adjunct meds with benzos) nursing considerations

seizure precautions

medications used for abstinence maintenance

disulfiram & naltrexone

T or F: disulfiram (abstinence maintenance) does not interact with alcohol

False. Drinking alcohol may result in nausea, vomiting, weakness, sweating, palpitations, and hypotension

naltrexone (abstinence maintenance) therapeutic effects

suppresses craving and pleasurable effects of alcohol

what to do if client has trouble adhering to oral form of naltrexone 

suggest monthly IM injections

medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids

methadone substitution

why is methadone substitution used?

dependency will be transferred away from an illegal substance

methadone must be ____ (slowly/immediately) stopped

slowly

medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids

bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline

bupriopion (medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids) therapeutic effect

decreases cravings & withdrawal symptoms

different nicotine replacement therapies (medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids)

• nicotine gum

• nicotine patch

• nicotine nasal spray

varenicline (medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids) therapeutic effects

reduces cravings for nicotine & severity of withdrawal symptoms

varenicline (medication that support withdrawal/abstinence from opioids) adverse effects

• suicidal thoughts

• onset depression