Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (Substance Use Disorders)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terminology, substance classifications, epidemiology, clinical features, and management protocols from the lecture on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse.

Psychoactive Drug

Any chemical substance that when taken alters mood, consciousness, perception, or behavior.

Drug Abuse

The non-medical, self-administration of a drug in a manner that deviates from approved medical or social patterns, leading to harm.

Drug Misuse

The use of a drug for a purpose other than prescribed, or in an excessive dose; can be unintentional.

Physical Dependence

A state in which the body adapts to a drug such that withdrawal symptoms occur if use is stopped (e.g., alcohol tremors).

Psychological Dependence

A state characterized by a strong craving for a drug and a loss of control over its use.

Addiction

A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking despite harmful consequences.

Tolerance

The need for an increasing dose of a substance to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that occur when stopping or reducing a drug after prolonged use.

Substance Use Disorder (DSM-5)

A pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment, defined by meeting 2 or more of 11 criteria within a 12-month period.

Depressants

A class of psychoactive substances that slow down the brain, including alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and high-dose cannabis.

Stimulants

A class of psychoactive substances that speed up the brain, including cocaine, crack, amphetamines, methamphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and khat.

Hallucinogens

A class of psychoactive substances that alter perception, including cannabis, LSD, PCP, and mushrooms.

Inhalants

Volatile substances whose fumes are inhaled for psychoactive effects, such as glue, petrol, paint thinners, and correction fluid.

Poly-drug Use

A pattern of consuming multiple substances simultaneously, common among undergraduates combining alcohol, cannabis, tramadol, and codeine cough syrup.

Brain Reward Pathway

The neural pathway involving dopamine surges in the Nucleus Accumbens hijacked by drugs of abuse, which damages the prefrontal cortex upon repeated use.

MARCH TOSS

A mnemonic for chronic complications of alcohol: Muscle myopathy, Acquired (anemia/coagulopathy), Reproductive, Cardiac, Hepatic, Tract GI, Obstruction (Wernicke-Korsakoff), Social, and Shame.

Wernicke's Triad

The clinical presentation of Thiamine deficiency ($B_1$) in chronic alcohol abuse, consisting of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia.

Delirium Tremens (DTs)

A severe, emergency alcohol withdrawal complication occurring at 48 to 96 hours, characterized by hallucinations, fever, and tachycardia.

Amotivational Syndrome

A chronic psychological consequence of cannabis use that results in poor academic performance and diminished drive.

Opioid Overdose Triad

The classic combination of signs indicating acute opioid toxicity: pinpoint pupil (miosis), respiratory depression, and coma.

Naloxone

An opioid receptor antagonist administered intravenously at $0.4\text{--}2\,mg$ as the definitive antidote for opioid overdose.

Mkpuru Mmiri

The local name in Southeastern Nigeria for methamphetamine, associated with a public health crisis involving severe psychosis, skin sores, and weight loss.

CAGE Questionnaire

A 4-item alcohol screening tool evaluating Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener; a score of 2 or more indicates a problem.

AUDIT

A 10-question screening tool developed by the WHO where a score of 8 or more indicates hazardous use and 16 or more indicates alcohol dependence.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A counseling approach that uses the OARS technique to help patients progress from pre-contemplation to action in addiction recovery.

Miosis

Excessive pupillary constriction, characteristic of acute opioid intoxication.

Mydriasis

Pupillary dilation, typically observed during stimulant intoxication or opioid and cannabis withdrawal.