The Danger of Microsleep

  • August 28, 2019 at 11:00 am
What is a Microsleep? Have you ever been sitting in front of your computer and dozed off for a brief second, only to be jerked awake by a head-snap? If so, you have experienced a microsleep. These episodes are defined by brief periods of sleep and loss of attention. They can last from a split [&hellip Read More...

Are alcoholics really at fault for their crimes?

  • November 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm
In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One such etiology is Wernicke encephalopathy. What is encephalopathy? Encephalopathy is a general term describing any disease of the brain that alters the function or structure of the brain. There are many types of encephalopathy and causes.  The [&hellip Read More...

Involuntary Intoxication when mixing Cocaine and Alcohol…? {MH/Tox}

What if someone knows how cocaine affects them, and they know how alcohol affects them, but not how they can affect them when taken together? The use of both cocaine and alcohol together results in a unique metabolite called cocaethylene. This metabolite stays in the system longer and prevents the reuptake of dopamine resulting in [&hellip Read More...

FASD: Legal Implications

  • June 26, 2015 at 8:57 am
Individuals with FASD have difficulty with assessment, judgment, and reasoning, and often repeat the same mistakes multiple times because of their disabilities. They also do not understand the consequences of their actions. These behavioral impairments make someone with FASD more likely to make bad decisions, trust the wrong people, and get in trouble with the [&hellip Read More...

What are the effects of FASD?

  • June 19, 2015 at 8:57 am
The most serious and most common cause of mental retardation in the U.S. is fetal alcohol syndrome. The effects of FASD depend on the timing and frequency of alcohol consumption during the pregnancy. Some of the outcomes are: Abnormal facial features Growth defects Brain damage, including mental retardation Heart, lung, and kidney defects Hyperactivity and [&hellip Read More...