q2 - suma99

[ArchivalUser]

An adolescent male is referred for drug abuse. He confides to the therapist that he has been taking large
amounts of "reds" (secobarbital sodium) for some time, and that they make him feel confident and calm. He would
like to try to stop and says he would like to "do it on his own," without additional medication. The therapist should
advise the patient to detoxify with medical assistance because of the danger of


A. insomnia

B. rebound anxiety

C. recidivism

D. respiratory depression

E. seizures

[ArchivalUser]

b

[ArchivalUser]

bb

[ArchivalUser]

ee

[ArchivalUser]

e

[ArchivalUser]

The correct answer is E.


Secobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate with considerable dependence potential.
Withdrawal from short-acting barbiturates can produce anxiety, delirium, and seizures which may be
accompanied by life-threatening cardiovascular collapse.

Insomnia (choice A) is a complication of barbiturate withdrawal, since barbiturates are sedative/hypnotic agents,
but this complication is not serious enough to be a contraindication to abrupt cessation of the drug.

Rebound anxiety (choice B) would be quite likely following abrupt cessation of the barbiturate, but would not
constitute a sufficient danger to the patient to preclude self-detoxification.

Recidivism (choice C) is quite likely in drug abusers, with or without medical intervention.

Respiratory depression (choice D) is common with acute administration of barbiturates, but would not be
expected with barbiturate abstinence.