Definition: often, a place of residence that acts as an intermediate stage between an inpatient or residential therapeutic programme and fully independent living in the community. The term applies to accommodation for alcohol- or drug-dependent individuals endeavouring to maintain their sobriety (compare therapeutic community). There are also halfway houses for individuals with psychiatric disorders or leaving […]
Definition: A therapeutic strategy that combines early detection of hazardous or harmful substance use and treatment of those involved. Treatment is offered or provided before such time as patients might present of their own volition, and in many cases before they are aware that their substance use might cause problems. It is directed particularly at […]
Definition: general term referring to comorbidity or the co-occurrence in the same individual of a psychoactive substance use disorder and another psychiatric disorder. Such an individual is sometimes known as a mentally ill chemical abuser (MICA). Less commonly, the term refers to the co-occurrence of two psychiatric disorders not involving psychoactive substance use. The term […]
Definition: One of a group of structurally related drugs used mainly as sedatives/hypnotics, muscle relaxants, and anti-epileptics, and once referred to by the now-deprecated term “minor tranquillisers”. These agents are believed to produce therapeutic effects by potentiating the action of gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepines were introduced as safer alternatives to […]
Definition: A treatment that suppresses undesirable behaviour by associating a painful or unpleasant experience with the behaviour. The term refers to any of several forms of treatment of alcohol or other drug dependence directed toward establishing a conditioned aversion to the sight, smell, taste, or thought of the misused substance. Generally the stimulus is a […]
Definition: A constellation of features said to be associated with substance use, including apathy, loss of effectiveness, diminished capacity to carryout complex or long-term plans, low tolerance for frustration, impaired concentration, and difficulty in following routines. The existence of this condition is controversial. It has been reported principally in connection with cannabis use, and may […]
Definition: A disorder characterized by paranoid delusions, frequently accompanied by auditory or tactile hallucinations, hyperactivity, and lability of mood, which develops during or shorly after repeated use of moderate or high doses of amfetamines. typically, the individuals behaviour is hostile and irrational, and may result in unprovoked violence. In most cases there is no clouding […]
Definition: A generic term that encompasses chronic impairment of memory and of higher mental functions associated with the frontal and limbic system. Thus, it incorporates both the alcohol-induced amnesic syndrome (F10.ó) and the “frontal lobe syndrome” (included in F10.7). However the term is often used when only one of these disorders is present. Memory loss […]
Definition: (French: alcoolisation) The frequent drinking of substantial amounts of alcoholic beverages, so as to maintain a high blood alcohol level. Also, the process of increasing the frequency of alcohol consumption. The term can be applied either to the individual drinker or to a society as a whole. ” Alcoolisation” was originally used in the […]
Definition: A disorder characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the pancreas, often accompanied by fibrosis and malfunction, related to the consumption of hazardous levels of alcohol. Alcoholic pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. The acute form presents with upper abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting, and can be complicated by hypotension, renal failure, lung disease, and […]
