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Chapter 10 - Medical Aspects of Drug and Alcohol Use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2021

By
David Pang  and
Mark Pucci
Edited by
Ed Day
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Summary

The effects of alcohol and illicit drug use are far reaching, extending to all aspects of a person’s life, particularly to their physical, psychological and social health. With recreational use, users are interested in the effects of acute intoxication and long-term consequences are rarely considered. However, following addiction or dependence to a substance, chronic misuse becomes associated with a variety of physical health issues and disorders. This chapter begins by providing the practising clinician with information about the impact of alcohol on the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, haematological and nervous systems. The second half covers the impact of illicit drugs, starting with the opioids and the physical complications of intravenous drug use. The unique patterns of morbidity associated with cannabis, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, ketamine, solvents and nitrous oxide are then considered.

Keywords

alcoholdrugsinjection drug usephysical morbiditymortalityblood borne virushepatitisendocardititis
Type
Chapter
Information
Seminars in Addiction Psychiatry , pp. 175 - 195
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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