Behavioral Science

Substance Abuse Disorders 143
What are some of the nonmedical
consequences of drug abuse?
What are the acute symptoms of ethanol
toxicity?
What are the chronic symptoms
of ethanol toxicity?
What are the clinical manifestations
of fetal alcohol syndrome?
What is the most common form
of drug dependence?
What are the deleterious effects
of caffeine?
Sociological problems such as violence,
crime, and poverty
Acute impairment leading to reduced
cognition or restraint
Other risky behaviors (eg, increased
likelihood of sexual violence)
Vomiting (with risk of possible
aspiration due to decreased mental
status)
Respiratory depression
Coma
Death
Psychiatric symptoms (depression,
hallucinations)
Neurological signs (dementia, vascular
problems, and neuropathies)
GI tract malfunction (cirrhosis of the
liver, pancreatitis, and GI cancer)
Cardiovascular disease (cardiomyopathy,
hypertension)
Pre- and postnatal retardation of growth
and cognition
Facial abnormalities (short palpebral
fissures, thin vermillion border of the
upper lip, smooth philtrum, and
flattened midface)
Central nervous system (CNS)
damage
Attention deficits
Tendency for risk-taking behaviors, such
as substance abuse
Caffeine dependence, which is seen in
60% to 70% of the population
In acute intoxication there can be
cardiovascular side effects
(palpitation, arrhythmia, increase
in BP). Caffeine withdrawal can
cause headache.
However, there is little to no evidence
of adverse effects with chronic, casual
caffeine use.