No abstract

Synthetic cannabinoid use has become widespread, leading to increased burdens on health care providers. Symptoms range from agitation and psychosis to seizures and acute kidney injury. We report a case where a patient was assessed and treated twice within 12 h for seizures following synthetic cannabinoid intoxication. Blood sample determinations showed low concentrations of analogues not previously reported, some of which are legal. Clinicians should be aware that synthetic cannabinoids may cause an array of severe health consequences. Given the ever evolving structure of available analogues, clinicians must also be prepared for other unexpected adverse effects.

No abstract

This article sets out to discuss some issues of this comorbid disorder. Initially the article defines both alcohol misuse and depression and provides indications of symptomatology, many of which overlap. The article identifies that prevalence is high and draws attention to issues of risk, self-harm and suicide. There is a short discussion on causative factors and the article describes the interrelation of these two disorders and goes on to compare the evidence for a cyclic comorbid disorder, where one increases the severity of the other. It goes on to identify issues of assessment, case management and treatment, including a brief discussion on pharmacotherapy and three psychological therapies.