Alcohol and Drug Use

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of the harm minimisation approach?

Reducing the supply of illegal drugs

Eliminating drug use completely

Reducing the demand for illegal drugs

Minimising the harmful effects of drug use (correct)

What is the primary goal of supply reduction strategies?

To educate users about drug risks

To reduce the supply of drugs (correct)

To reduce the demand for drugs

To provide alternative drugs to users

What is the purpose of needle exchange programs?

To educate users about drug risks

To reduce the supply of illegal drugs

To provide information on safer injecting practices (correct)

To provide alternative drugs to users

What is a key principle of the harm minimisation approach?

Drug use is an inevitable part of society Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of pharmacists in the harm minimisation approach?

To refer users to treatment services Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the National Ice Action Strategy?

To prevent methamphetamine use and reduce its harmful effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of demand reduction strategies?

Reducing the harms associated with drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the harm minimisation approach?

A focus on reducing the harms of drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Needle Syringe Program?

To reduce the harm associated with drug use to the drug user and the community Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for providing education in the Needle Syringe Program?

To reduce the risk of drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence suggesting about the effectiveness of Needle Syringe Programs?

They do not increase injecting drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor affecting drug dependence related to the user?

Psychosocial factors such as poor coping skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of Benzodiazepines?

CNS depressants Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of dependence that involves giving higher priority to drug use than to other activities or obligations?

Higher priority given to drug use than to other activities/obligations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of drug misuse related to the community?

Harm to the community Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for shifting OTC painkillers from S3 to S4?

To reduce the misuse of pharmaceuticals Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of dependence syndrome?

Narrowing repertoire of behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential aetiological factor in the development of dependence syndrome?

Dysfunctional family background Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between mental health and drug use in young people aged 16-24?

Young people with a mental health disorder are more than 5x as likely to use illicit drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of harm minimisation in the treatment of dependence syndrome?

To promote rehabilitation and improve functioning Signup and view all the answers

What is opioid substitution treatment (OST)?

A daily dose of a longer-acting opioid agonist Signup and view all the answers

What is a common setting for supervised daily dosing of opioid substitution treatment?

A public drug and alcohol clinic Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to check if a patient has swallowed their opioid substitution treatment dose?

To ensure they are taking the medication as prescribed Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Harm Minimisation

Most AOD use is experimental or recreational, and most users can be considered functional.
The period of illicit drug use for most people is relatively short, and only a minority develop dependence.

Australian Government's Approach

Harm minimisation has been a key policy since 1985, with a national campaign against drug abuse and the National Drug Strategy.
The approach involves supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction.

Harm Reduction Strategies

Provide better alternatives to reduce desirability of heroin (e.g., methadone).
Reduce harm through needle exchange, supervised injecting centres, and information on safer injecting.

The Harm Minimisation Approach

Drug use is an inevitable part of society, occurring across a continuum from occasional to dependent use.
A range of harms are associated with different types and patterns of AOD use.
Multiple approaches can be used to respond to these harms.

Evaluation of the National Ice Action Strategy

Aims to prevent methamphetamine (ice) and other drug use, help users to stop, and reduce drug-related harms.

Role of the Pharmacist

Understand intoxication and withdrawal states of other drugs.
Ability to refer patients to relevant services.
Education, empathy, and non-judgemental advice.
Support for demand reduction.

Needle Syringe Program

Aims to reduce harm associated with drug use to the user and the community.
Provides education, referral, and point of contact.
Strong evidence suggests that these programs do not increase injecting drug use.

Alcohol Misuse

External and internal implications.
Pharmacotherapies available, including acamprosate, naltrexone, disulfram, and topiramate.

National Drug Strategy

Increased use of pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes.
OTC painkillers are no longer S3, and the most commonly misused pharmaceuticals are painkillers/opiates.

Factors Affecting Drug Dependence

Drug: pharmacological effect, onset of action, duration of action, route of administration, purity, availability, and cost.
User: impulsiveness, risk-taking, sensation seeking, psychosocial factors, and psychiatric co-morbidity.
Environment: family, peers, social influences.

CNS Depressants (Downers) and Stimulants (Uppers)

CNS depressants: sedative-hypnotics (benzodiazepines, barbiturates), narcotic analgesics (opioids), general anaesthetics (nitrous oxide, GHB), cannabis, and alcohol.
CNS stimulants: nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Dependence

Characterised by three or more of the following: strong desire to use, difficulties controlling use, persistent use despite harm, higher priority given to drug use than other activities, increased tolerance, and physical withdrawal.

Dependence Syndrome

Tolerance (needing more to reach the same feeling).
Withdrawal.
Use to reduce withdrawal.
Compulsion to use.
Narrowing of behavioural repertoire.
Early relapse after withdrawal.
Chronic relapsing disorder.

Aetiological Factors

Multifactorial, including dysfunctional family background, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, stressful life events, and mental health.

Mental Health of Young People

Young people with a mental health disorder are more than 5x as likely to use illicit drugs or misuse legal drugs.
Comorbidity between mental health and AOD use.

Harm Minimisation – Demand Reduction (Treatment)

Drug dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder requiring medical, behavioural, and social context.
Treatment focuses on promoting rehabilitation and improving functioning.
Requires a therapeutic, non-judgemental relationship.

Treatment

Opioid substitution treatment (OST) involves daily dosing of longer-acting opioid agonist (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine).
Supervised daily dosing at a dosing site (e.g., public drug & alcohol clinic, community pharmacy, private clinic, prison).
Most cost-effective treatment for opioid-dependent people.

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Description

This quiz covers the use of alcohol and other drugs, including experimental and recreational use, and the concept of harm minimisation as a policy approach.