Clarice is a 32-year-old who has had a shoulder injury from playing tennis. She has had surgery on her ACL and 6 months later still is on opiate medication for pain management. Clarice is dependent on her medication
a. Discuss opiate dependence and what effects it has on the person.
b. What are some of the classic signs and symptoms?
c. What are some atypical signs?
d. Explain some treatment options.
Students' answers should include the following:
a. Addiction to narcotics, which are chemically similar to opium
A narcotic addiction can be prescription or off the street
b. CNS depressant
Opioids are synthetic opiate narcotics.
They create sedation after an initial euphoria.
Tolerance and dependence are related to drug, dose, and frequency of use.
Constipation is a side effect of opioid use.
Chronic use is evidenced by anorexia, constipation, malnutrition, weight loss, needle marks, and track marks or scarring.
c. Atypical signs include the following:
• Respiratory depression, which can lead to unconsciousness and death
• Overdose, toxicity, paranoia, hallucinations, convulsions
• Needle sharing can lead to other complications such as AIDS, hepatitis, and septicemia, along with abscesses.
d. Treatment options include the following:
• Clonidine, methadone, and naltrexone may be used for treatment.
• Psychotherapy is also used as treatment.
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