3.1.5 Agonist & Antagonist substitution (Add)

Question 1

these drugs are mainly given to addicts with what type of addictions?

Answer 1

chemical addictions e.g. heroin, alcohol

Question 2

why do bio-psychologists advocate the use of drug treatments?

Answer 2

all that is psychological including addiction is first biological
medical model - treat behaviours biologically

Question 3

what is an agonist?

Answer 3

a chemical binding to a postsynaptic receptor that activates the receptor to produce a response imitating the action of another substance e.g.heroin

Question 4

what is methaone?

Answer 4

painkiller and heroin substitute used in treating heroin addiction (agonist)

Question 5

(agonist) methadone has similar effects to heroin without what?

Answer 5

the buzz/high

Question 6

(agonist) methadone is an opiate, opiates are sedatives, what do they do?

Answer 6

depress the nervous system
slow down body functioning
reduce pain

Question 7

(agonist) what happens to the dose of methadone the patient is given over time? and why?

Answer 7

reduced over time

so the patient can give up their addiction without withdrawal symptoms

Question 8

(agonist) what are some side effects of methadone?

Answer 8

reduced pain (physical and psychological)
feelings of warmth
overdose - coma

Question 9

(agonist) what does the use of methadone allow people to tackle?

Answer 9

their addiction and stabilise their life

Question 10

(agonist) methadone is less severe than what?

Answer 10

completely removing heroin

Question 11

(agonist) methadone is aimed at what?

Answer 11

preventing withdrawal symptoms from stopping heroin

Question 12

(agonist) what does NICE recommend the initial dose of methadone to be?

Answer 12

10-40mg

Question 13

(agonist) NICE say dose of methadone can be increased by 10mg per day until what?

Answer 13

no withdrawal signs or intoxication visible

maintenance dose of 60-120mg reached

Question 14

(agonist) NICE - in what ways can methadone be administered?

Answer 14

drunk as a green liquid

if necessary available in injection and tablet form

Question 15

(agonist) medical professionals see the methadone patient each day for how long and in what sort of setting?

Answer 15

3 months

out patient setting

Question 16

(agonist) why is supervision by medical professionals required of the methadone patient?

Answer 16

to ensure they don’t overdose and are complying with their treatment

Question 17

(agonist) it is recommended that methadone treatment is given alongside what and why?

Answer 17

other psychological support e.g. counselling
may make the patient feel more supported and willing to comply with treatment and addresses the root cause of the addiction

Question 18

what is an antagonist?

Answer 18

a chemical that binds to a receptor blocking the usual function of a particular substance - doesn’t cause a reaction

Question 19

what type of drug is naltrexone?

Answer 19

antagonist

Question 20

(antagonist) who is naltrexone given to?

Answer 20

those with opiod & alcohol addictions

Question 21

(antagonist) in the future what other addictions could naltrexone possibly treat?

Answer 21

gambling

Question 22

(antagonist) it is recommended naltrexone is given along side what and why?

Answer 22

other psychological support e.g. counselling
may make the patient feel more supported and willing to comply with treatment and addresses the root cause of the addiction

Question 23

(antagonist) what does the addict have to do to be administered naltrexone?

Answer 23

stop using opiods

demonstrate they are motivated to be drug free

Question 24

(antagonist) how can naltrexone be administered?

Answer 24

implant
oral medication
depot injection (released slowly over a no. of weeks)

Question 25

(antagonist) how long is a patient on naltrexone supervised for and why?

Answer 25

up to 6 months

to ensure they haven’t relapsed

Question 26

(antagonist) naltrexone blocks the pleasurable affects associated with opiods making them what?

Answer 26

less rewarding

Question 27

(antagonist) naltrexone is used in which stage of recovery?

Answer 27

abstinence stage