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Questions and Answers
What is substance use disorder characterized by?
What is substance use disorder characterized by?
A cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite substance-related problems.
Which mnemonic is often used to remember the criteria for substance use disorder?
Which mnemonic is often used to remember the criteria for substance use disorder?
What does the AIHW report reveal about drug-induced deaths over the past decade?
What does the AIHW report reveal about drug-induced deaths over the past decade?
There has been a 264% increase in drug-induced deaths over the past decade.
Men are more likely to have a higher hospitalization rate due to drug use than women.
Men are more likely to have a higher hospitalization rate due to drug use than women.
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Match the drug with its common effects:
Match the drug with its common effects:
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Study Notes
Substance Use Disorder
- A cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite substance-related problems.
- Marked with underlying change in brain circuits that may persist beyond detoxification.
- Useful mnemonic for criteria: WILD ADDICTD
- W: Work, school, home obligations failure
- I: Interpersonal or social consequences
- L: Dangerous use
- A: Activities given up or reduced
- D: Dependence → tolerance, withdrawal
- D: Dependence → duration or amount of use greater than intended
Assessment of Substance Use
- Pattern of recent drug use: when was it last used, alone or with other drugs, why, and how?
- Dependence: evidence of psychological and/or withdrawal symptoms
- Addiction: behaviors associated with self-regulation loss, drug-seeking behaviors
Prevalence of Recreational Drug Use in Australia
- 47% of the population (10.2 million) have used an illicit drug at some point in their life
- 1 in 6 Australians have used an illicit drug in the past 12 months
- Rise of 264% in drug-induced deaths over the past decade
- 3% of the total burden of disease and injury in 2018
Vulnerable Groups
- Men are most likely to try and have a higher hospitalization rate
- Young adults, aged 20-29 years, are most vulnerable
- 20% of drug treatment service clients in WA identified as Indigenous
- Highest rate of drug-induced deaths among 45-64-year-olds living in disadvantaged areas
Harms of Drug Use
- Health impacts: drug-induced deaths, cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, addiction
- Social impacts: increase in risky, criminal activities, domestic violence, child maltreatment
- Economic impacts: $80.3 billion in addiction costs, $4.5 billion in cannabis-related costs, $5 billion in methamphetamine-related costs
Most Commonly Used Drugs
- Cannabis: most used illicit drug in Australia, accounts for 52% of national illicit drug seizures, and 47% of arrests
- Methamphetamine: reported increased consumption, 3 in 5 users were male, 1 in 5 were Indigenous, and 58% were aged 20-39
Effects of Drug Use
- Cannabis: short-term effects include mild euphoria, relaxation, and perceptual alterations, long-term effects include long-term dependence, mental health conditions, anxiety, and appetite disturbances
- Methamphetamine: short-term effects include euphoric sense, increased attention, and aggression, long-term effects include mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic symptoms, and poor concentration and memory
Prognosis and Recovery
- Addiction is a treatable disorder
- Individuals with chronic substance dependence achieve 58% sustained recovery
- Amphetamine users may remit from drug dependence in a given year
- Cannabis users may remit from drug dependence in a given year
- Typical time it takes between first substance use to stable recovery is 27 years
Harm Minimization Strategies
- Demand reduction: prevention approach, delaying first use, and integrated care and accessible treatment and support services
- Supply reduction: restricting availability and access, dismantling manufacturing facilities, and regulating sale, age restrictions, and border control
- Harm reduction: identifying specific risks, encouraging safer behaviors, and effective public policy and safer settings
Fuelling Recovery
- Requirements for recovery: safe place, freedom from physical and psychiatric distress, empowerment, and longitudinal support
- Strongest predictor of higher life quality: engaging in activities like volunteering, education, work, family, and social support
- Recovery is mediated by social and cultural support
Community Resources
- Community-based counseling and case management: patients can require self-referrals
- Needle and syringe programs: provide sterile needles and syringes to prevent transmission of blood-borne viruses
- Better Access initiatives: give Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care
- Drug Aware: 24-hour alcohol and drug support line
- Family Drug Support: for help dealing with drug and alcohol use in the family
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Description
This quiz aims to educate on substance use disorder, its symptoms, and harm reduction strategies. It covers the criteria for diagnosing substance use disorder and provides a useful mnemonic for remembering the criteria.
