Addiction Rehab: [The Patient With the Problem of an Alcohol Abuse in the Family Doctor Practice].
[The patient with the problem of an alcohol abuse in the family doctor practice].
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Przegl Lek. 2012; 69(8): 557-60
Szponar J, Ku?niar-Placek J, Panasiuk L
Doctors of many specialties, including the family doctors, encounter the problems of alcohol abuse in their patients. Due to the fact that many symptoms of dangerous diseases can be masked by the fact of alcoholism, a brief doctor’s visit has to be conducted with watchfulness, caution and care. Family doctors have some brief testes (such as CAGE test, AUDIT test), besides of precise anamnesis and blood chemistry, which make it easier to identify a patient with an alcohol problem. People with disabilities are more exposed to alcohol abuse since they often experience additional factors such as unemployment, social isolation and homelessness. All of the above factors foster the more frequent alcohol usage. In Poland the main treatment method of alcohol addiction is psychotherapy practiced in the rehab centers. The detoxification treatment is voluntary and free of charge even though the patients checking into those facilities are doing it against their will. They are forced to do so by entourage, family, spouse or risk of unemployment. Acamprozate is considered as a drug, run to extend abstaining from alcohol. In the past, therapy with disulfiram substance was common, but now, it is considered as unethical behaviour. In practice of medicine, a patient with alcohol addiction creates not onlya medical but also legal problems. Therefore keeping of detailed medical documentation is very important as it may become significant evidence in the future.
HubMed – addiction
[Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its lactone (GBL) as psychoactive substances].
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Przegl Lek. 2012; 69(8): 544-7
Krajewska A, Kwiecie?-Obara E, Szponar J, Majewska M, Ko?odziej M
Gammabutyrolactone is included in the solvent such as wheel cleaners, pesticides, cosmetics, drugs. After ingestion GBL is converted to gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Both substances are classified as so called “club drugs” and their action is characterized by euphoria, sedation, and induction of retrograde amnesia of events. These activities were basis for the use of GHB and its lactone as rape pill. Acute poisoning with these compounds causes confusion, agitation, ataxia, nausea, vomiting, nystagmus, dyskinesia, hallucinations, coma, irregular breathing, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, convulsions, respiratory paralysis and thus respiratory arrest. These substances carry a risk of development of physical addiction of the hard proceeding of abstinence syndrome. In the USA there is a ban on the sale and promotion of these compounds. In Poland despite the fact that GHB is a controlled substance, there is no regulation of GBL trading. The aim of this paper is to summarize current knowledge regarding the pharmacology, impact on the human body, toxicity, and the effects of chronic abuse of these substances.
HubMed – addiction
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