STUDENT LEARNING GUIDE FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
1.
2.
Does alcohol abuse have a genetic component?
Differentiate among intoxication, withdrawal, detoxification, substance abuse and
dependency.
3.
Describe how tolerance occurs.
The body requires larger and larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same
effect.
4.
Describe the symptoms of substance abuse.
5.
From the above list, identify the three defense mechanisms are associated with
chemical dependency? Give examples of each. How is minimalization a form of
denial?
6.
Describe the warning signs of chemical dependency.
7.
Describe the personality characteristics associated with chemical dependency.
8.
When does alcohol withdrawal begin, peak, and last. When do DT’s usually begin?
Begins 4-12 hours after last drink, peaks 2nd day, and lasts for 5 days. DTs
usually begin 24 to 72 hours after the last drink.
9.
Complete the following table.
Drugs
Common Manifestations During Use
Alcohol, Sedatives, Hypnotics, &
Anxiolytics
Stimulants (Amphetamines,
Cocaine)
Cannabis (Marijuana, Hash)
Relaxation, mild euphoria, loss of
inhibition, decreased motivation, red
eyes, dry mouth
Opiods
Hallucinogens (LSD, Peyote, PCP)
10.
Distorted perception, heightened sense
of awareness, grandiosity,
hallucinations, illusions, distortions of
time & space, depersonalization,
mystical experiences, dilated pupils,
increased blood pressure, increased
salivation
Describe the effects of alcohol on the major body organs and tissues.
Respiratory:
Reproductive:
Hematologic:
Nervous System:
Cardiac: Tissue damage due to effects of alcohol on excitability and
contractility of heart muscle. Intoxicating amounts of alcohol affect cardiac
rate and output and increase both systolic and pulse pressures. Toxicity a
causative factor in hypertension. Alcohol contributes to a weakened heart
muscle and heart failure. Alcoholic cardiornyopathy, a severe condition with
heart failure, shortness of breath, and enlargement of the heart, frequently
seen in long-term chronic alcoholics.
GI:
11.
Complete the following table:
Drugs
Overdose
Manifestations
Alcohol
Withdrawal
Manifestations
Treatments for
Overdose
Tremors, sweating,
increased pulse &
B/P, nausea,
vomiting, and
anxiety, seizures.
Sedatives,
hypnotics, &
anxiolytics
Stimulants
(Amphetamines,
Cocaine)
Euphoria,
hyperactivity,
hypervigilance,
grandiosity,
anger, ↑ B/P
tachycardia,
chills, chest
pain, anorexia,
insomnia, fever,
nausea,
vomiting,
diarrhea.
dilated pupils
Cannabis
(Marijuana, Hash
Opioids
Hallucinogens
(LSD, Peyote,
PCP)
LSD: Talk down.
PCP: Do not talk
down, Do not use
phenothiazine,
acidify urine
12.
Describe how 12 step programs encourage sobriety.
13.
What medications and what vitamin are used in the treatment of ETOH withdrawal
and why?
14.
What are the effects of alcohol intake, if the client is taking Antabuse? Identify
drugs and other preparations that a client may not take if on Antabuse.
15.
Why is acamprosate (Compral) used in for ETOH treatment?
16.
What medication is used for opiate withdrawal?
17.
Why is naltrexone hydrochloride (ReVia, Trexan) used for ETOH treatment?
This drug blocks the effects of opiates and reduces alcohol craving.
18.
What is a dual diagnosis?
The co-occurance of a substance abuse disorder with another psychiatric
disorder.
19.
Identify three physical and four psychosocial nursing diagnoses for the addicted
client.
20.
Prioritize the nursing diagnoses and describe the rationale for prioritization.
21.
What method did you use to determine priorities?
22.
Describe how the nurse intervenes with denial and uses confrontation.
Use non-judgmental, supportive approach
23.
In order to promote coping skills, the nurse should focus on:
24.
Describe how the nurse intervenes with loneliness.
25.
Describe how the nurse intervenes with negative self-concept and guilt.
26.
Describe the purposes of group and family therapy with the chemically dependent
client.
27.
Describe the concepts of codependency and enabling as well as the underlying
concepts of dysfunctional family theory.
Codependency is a maladaptive coping pattern that results in role change.
Enabling is a behavior that seems helpful but actually perpetuates substance use.
In codependency the codependent takes care of the dependent person and
perpetuates the dependency.
Family members are not free to be who they are. The family assigns roles to meet
the family’s needs.
The major problems of the user are never discussed. The elephant in the living
room.
The roles of the user are abdicated and taken on by the co-dependent.
Even with the user no longer abusing the codependent seeks to continue the roles
28.
Describe the roles and shifts associated with dysfunctional family theory. Print and
bring to class the dysfunctional family diagram.
29.
What is the Texas Peer Assistance Program in Nursing?
30.
What is your legal obligation to report suspected drug abuse by licensed or non licensed personnel?