"NAADAC Basics of Addiction
Counseling Desk Reference Module 1
(up to Hallucinogens)". Examinable
sections covered. 100% Approved.
Designer psychoactive substances - ✔✔-psychoactive substances specifically invented with a different
molecular chemical formula of similar controlled substances to evade law enforcement.
half life - ✔✔-the amount of time necessary to eliminate one half of the original dosage of a
psychoactive substance from the body.
Central Nervous System - ✔✔-Reticular Activating System, Limbic System, Basal Ganglia
Central Nervous System Depressants - ✔✔-Alcohol, Barbituates, Benzodiazepines
CNS Depressant Physiological Effects - ✔✔-Impaired coordination, slurred speech, staggering gait,
drowsiness, muscle relaxation, slowing of breath, slowing of heart rate, dizziness, sedation
CNS Depressants Short Term Psychological Effects - ✔✔-loss ofmemory, euphoria, impaired judgement,
feeling of decreased inhibition, decreased fear, confusion, irritability, paranoia, reduction in tension and
anxiety, inappropriate obnoxious behavior
Habituation - ✔✔-the circumstance where an individual takes daily, therapeutic doses of the prescribed
medication for sleep and finds that it is difficult to induce sleep without it.
BAC Limits - ✔✔-0.08 while operating a motor vehicle is illegal in most states
Lethal Alcohol Toxicity (Alcohol Poisoning) - ✔✔-BAC is .40 or above
,ETOH Stages of Withdrawal (Stage 1) - ✔✔-Stage 1: (Tremors) 8 hrs after heavy drinking. Peak intensity
is 24-36 hours after the last drink. Symptoms: tremors, slurred speech, irritability, nausea, vomiting,
easily startled, face flushed, diuretic effects, sweating, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and
temp., loss of appetite, unsteady gait, inxomnia, inattention, poor coordination, mild disorientation,
poor recent memory and uneasiness. (Experience by 90% of ETOH dependent clients.)
ETOH Stages of Withdrawal (Stage 2) - ✔✔-Stage 2: (Hallucinations) 25% of clients sx distorted
perceptions. auditory and/or visual hallucinations.
ETOH Stages of Withdrawal (Stage 3) - ✔✔-Stage 3 (Withdrawal Seizures) Grand Mall type in bursts of 2-
6. 90% occur between 7-48 hours after the last drink. Peak incidence: 13-24 hours after last drink. 1/3
will go on to develop delirium tremens.
ETOH Stages of Withdrawal (Stage 4) - ✔✔-Stage 4: (Delirium Tremens) Profound confusion, delusions,
vivid hallucinations, tremors, severe agitation, sleeplessness, reduction in psychomotor activity, dilated
pupils, fever, tachycardia and profuse perspiration. 15% Fatality Rate in severe cases. A single episode
lasts 72 hours or less in 80% of cases.
FDA Approved Pharmacologies to treat ETOH Dependence - ✔✔-1. disulfiram (Antabuse)
2. acamprosate (Campral)
3. naltrexone (ReVia, Depade or Vivitrol)
Barbituate Uses - ✔✔-1. anticonvulsant
2. anesthetic
3. sedative (daytime sedatives replaced by Benzodiazepines)
4. analgesic
Barbituate Short Term Physiological Effects - ✔✔-muscles relax, drowsiness, slowing of breath, slowing
of heart rate, slurred speech, slowing of motor activity, impaired coordination, dizziness, double vision
,Barbituate Long Term Psychological Effects - ✔✔-mood swings (depression), irritability, inappropriate,
obnoxious behavior, manipulation, nervousness, confusion, insomnia, lack of coordination, anxiety,
hyperactivity, nightmares, hallucinations.
Barbituate Physical Dependence - ✔✔-Requires Hospitalization for gradual reduction of dose.
Barbituate Withdrawal Symptoms - ✔✔-Within 6-8 hours of last dose: Expect nausea, vomiting,
increased heart rate, excessive sweating, abdominal cramps, tremors of the extremities, anxiety,
restlessness, agitation. Peak on 2nd/3rd day for short acting barbituates and during 2nd/3rd week for
long acting barbituates. Sx can last from 7-10 days. During this period the following Sx's persist:
severe seizures, resembling grand mal epilepsy, delirium, uncontrolled heartbeat, high blood pressure,
difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, generalized tonic-clonic movements of body&extremities,
toxic psychosis, disorientation and confusion, auditory and visual hallucinations. More die from
barbituate withdrawal than from overdose. The majority who abuse are women and older adults.
CNS Stimulants - ✔✔-1. Amphetamines
2. Cocaine
3. Caffeine
4. Nicotine
Stimulant Medical Uses - ✔✔-narcolepsy, weight loss, ADD in children, edema and respiratory problems.
They are also used as an anesthetic and to reduce fatigue. Also used infrequently for the chronically
depressed elderly client who has been unusually resistant to more standard treatments.
Short Term Physiological Effects of Stimulant - ✔✔-inc. in blood pressure, heart rate, irregular
heartbeat, inc. heart muscle tone, inc. metabolic rate, construction of blood vessels, sudden cardiac
arrest, changes in hormone levels, inc. in blood sugar, elevated temp, respiratory failure, insomnia, loss
of appetite, inc. in motor activity, inc. in speech, dilated pupils, dry mouth, runny nose, muscle
twitching, sexual stimulation, sweating, seizures, inc. urination, flushed face, rambling speech, chills,
nausea, clumsiness, fining in ears, flashes of light, increase in saliva, increase in bronchial secretions,
deadening of taste buds.
Short Term Psychological Effects of Stimulants - ✔✔-euphoria, inc. alertness, inc. arousal, excitation,
stereotype, inc. in energy, inc. concentration, perceived inc. in strength, ramblind thoughts, restlessness,
, feelings of enhanced mental ability, inc in tension, anxiety, irritability, aggression, paranoid ideation,
delusions, auditory hallucinations.
Examples of Amphetamine Abuse - ✔✔-Ritalin (Methylphenidate) by college students to stay awake
longer/focus, weight loss. Crank or crystal (methamphetamine) Schedule II substance. Easily obtainable
by internet. (Breaking Bad example - meth lab)
Amphetamine Short Term Physiological Effects - ✔✔-IV - 3 to 4 hours of effects, 8 to 10 hours when
taken orally. Effects include: insomnia, loss of appetite, inc in motor activity, inc. in speech, dilated
pupils, dry mouth, inc in blood pressure, inc in heart rate, inc alertness, inc in strength.
Amphetamine Short Term Psychological Effects - ✔✔-excitability, anxiety, irritability, auditory
hallucinations, aggression, stereotype, paranoid ideation, delusions, euphoria. (Identical to the sx of
paranoid schizophrenia)
Cocaine - ✔✔-Schedule II, most potent CNS stimulant and most widely used. Current rage: freebasing
and crack (cocaine, water and baking soda made into a paste and dried; hard mixture broken into
"rocks" which are smoked. Average binge: 12-36 hours.
Cocaine Short Term Physiological Effects - ✔✔-inc. heart rate, blood pressure, runny nose, muscle
twitching, sexual stimulation, insomnia, loss of appetite, inc in motor activity, inc in rate of speech,
dilated pupils, elevated temp, sweating, dry mouth, seizures, sudden cardiac arrest.
Cocaine Short Term Psychological Effects - ✔✔-euphoria, excitation, restlessness, anxiety, inc arousal,
inc alertness, irritability, auditory hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, perceived inc. in strength, feelings
of enhanced mental ability.
Cocaine Warning Signs of Overdose - ✔✔-1. vomit/headache/cold sweats/muscle twitches
2. convulsions/rapid, gasping breaths/decreased blood pressure
3. dilated pupils, paralyzed, unable to breath, cardiac arrest and death
Cocaine Withdrawal Phases - ✔✔-1. Intense emotional "crash" evidence by marked depression, anxiety,
exhaustion and cravings
