PSYB32H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Delirium Tremens, Paranoid Personality Disorder, Recreational Drug Use
4 Jul 2012
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Document Summary
Drugs are usually initially pleasing, thus people do more, and eventually become dependent, encountering all sorts of problems. In a study done by an oxford psychiatrist, the prevalence of recreational substance abuse and dependence skyrockets through teen and young adult years; this type of behaviour typically stops at 30 years-old. Physiological tolerance typically means two things: greater problems and it is much more difficult to treat. Somatic effects- increased hunger, bloodshot, itchy eyes, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, decreased lung function. Therapeutic effects- helps with pain, helps chemotherapy patients with nausea and loss of appetite, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, hiv/aids. Sedatives- used with respect to slowing down the body"s activity and responsiveness which is important when trying to alleviate a person"s perception of pain: comes from the opium plant; morphine, heroin, codeine. 8 hours that can be best characterized as the worst flu one has ever experienced in one"s life; gives way to 5-10 days of twitches, cramps, chills, etc.
