Mental Health – Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease characterized by an urge to consume alcohol, the loss of control when drinking, and the continuation of alcohol consumption despite negative consequences.

Alcohol abuse refers to cases where individuals intentionally or unintentionally harm their health.

Signs of alcohol consumption and corresponding blood alcohol content (BAC):

• Sedation, mood changes: Appropriate BAC: 50-100

• Loss of coordination, difficulty controlling behavior, speech disorders: Appropriate BAC: 100-200

• Possible vomiting, confusion, slurred speech: Appropriate BAC: 200-300

• Possible coma: Appropriate BAC: 300-400

• Coma, cardiovascular and respiratory failure, possible death: Appropriate BAC: >400

Low BAC has the effect of: Sedation, anxiety reduction

Alcohol dependence is a state where a person needs to continue using alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Simple intoxication stage 1 (S1), blood alcohol content is: 1-2g/l

Characteristic appearance of chronic alcoholics: Flushed face, sweating, foul breath.

Mental manifestations of chronic alcoholism (CA): Personality disorder (selfishness, irresponsibility, moral decay), memory impairment, intellectual disorder (partial dementia).

Pathological intoxication occurs in people with clear alcohol dependence and: It is not related to the amount of alcohol consumed and occurs after consuming a small amount of alcohol.

Pathological intoxication with impaired consciousness occurs: Abruptly.

Hallucinations commonly encountered during alcohol withdrawal: Auditory hallucinations of threats, accusations, verbal abuse from drinking buddies.

Visual hallucinations characteristic of alcohol withdrawal: Giant-dwarf visual hallucinations, frightening, repulsive visual hallucinations.

Chronic delusions common in alcoholism: Delusions of jealousy, being followed.

Diagnosis of alcohol addiction according to ICD-10 when present: 3 out of 6 criteria.

Determination of most common BAC through: Breath.

The CAGE questionnaire has: 4 questions.

CAGE+ when the patient answers “Yes” to: 3 questions.

Treatment with Disulfiram is: Aversion therapy.

Combining Disulfiram + naltrexone helps: Actively reduce liver toxicity.

Reducing the number of alcoholics is: Secondary prevention.

Public education about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse, addiction, and prevention measures is: Primary prevention.

Which memory disorder is frequently encountered in CA: Korsakoff.

Simple intoxication is divided into: 3 stages.

In simple intoxication stage I, the intoxicated person: Experiences disinhibition, talks excessively, has elevated mood, jokes, and makes light of things.

In simple intoxication stage II, the intoxicated person: Has motor disturbances, a dull expression, unstable emotions, rapid pulse, increased sweating, nausea, and vomiting.

In simple intoxication stage III, the intoxicated person: Is in a drunken stupor, confused, has reduced sensation, may become comatose, has lowered body temperature, and respiratory distress.