PHA 3112 Lecture 1: Drug abuse II
3 Mar 2017
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Drug abuse ii: alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) is the most commonly used and abused psychoactive agent in the. United states/canada: when consumed in moderation, alcohol prolongs life; reduces the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disorders, when consumed in excess, alcohol does nothing but diminish life in both quality and quantity. Acute drinking causes reversible accumulation of fat in the liver: stomach. In males, long-term use of alcohol may induce feminization. Symptoms include testicular atrophy, impotence, sterility, and breast enlargement: cancer. Stimulants (eg, caffeine, pentylenetetrazol) should not be given. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: chronic use cause physical dependence, abrupt withdrwal produces an abstinence syndrome, mild: disturbed sleep/weakness/nausea/anxiety/mild tremor: duration <1 day, severe: cramps/vomiting/hallucinations/intense tremor/inc. Bp/tonic-clonic seizure/disorientation/delirium tremens (severe persecutory hallucinations) lead to cardiovascular collapse/death. Onset 12h after last drink, continue to 72h. Decrease withdrawal symptoms; stabilize vital signs; prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Improve vital signs; decrease craving; decrease autonomic component of withdrawal symptoms.
