Addiction Flashcards
What is the most commonly used illicit drug in the UK?
Cannabis
What class of drug is cannabis?
Class B
It was declassified to class C in 2001, but later reclassified to class B in 2009.
*Correct at time of writing, Sept 2020.
What is the mechanism of action of cannabis?
Binds to CB1 receptor, indirectly increasing dopamine release.
Which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis?
THC
At 15 years old, Harry starts hanging around with a group of mates at the local park. They introduce him to a drug which is smoked with tobacco. He finds it makes him feel chilled out, chatty and giggly, although sometimes can feel paranoid and sick when he has too much.
What drug is Harry probably taking?
Cannabis
At the age of 18, Harry develops an interest in electronic music and starts going out to clubs. He is introduced to a drug, sometimes in the form of a pill, sometimes a powder he dabs on his gums.
When he takes it, he finds his experience of the music becomes more intense, he feels immense feelings of affection towards those around him, and is able to stay up all night dancing.
He does find there are some down sides to this drug. He finds he is constantly moving his jaw during the night and tries to drink a lot of water, but his friends intervene and stop him, saying they know this is dangerous.
The next day he feels very tired and low in mood, with a lack of motivation.
What drug is Harry probably taking?
MDMA
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Commonly called ecstasy, MD, Mandy, Molly, Pills, Crystal
What’s the mechanism of action of MDMA?
Blocks serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin in the synapse.
What is the danger with water and MDMA?
MDMA causes dry mouth and makes the user want to drink a lot of water, which can lead to hyponatraemia and death.
Leah Betts was a young lady who died from severe cerebral oedema after drinking too much water while taking Ecstasy.
True or false: Ecstasy is associated with acute euphoria and a hard-hitting come down.
True
Ecstasy causes a build-up of serotonin in the synapses which leads to feelings of euphoria and love, but ultimately leads to neurotransmitter depletion which means there is less availability of these happy feeling the next day.
While at college, Harry is still going to club nights and is introduced to another drug (first one was MDMA) that makes him alert, energised, and excitable.
He also finds he can take some when having to pull an ‘all-nighter’ with work because it helps him stay up and also increases his focus and concentration.
One of Harry’s friends who took the drug frequently ended up hearing voices and thinking he was in danger and had to be admitted to a mental health unit.
What drug is Harry probably taking?
Amphetamine
Speeds, Billy/Billy Whizz, Sulph, Base
What drug class is MDMA?
Class A
What drug class is Amphetamine?
Class B if snorted, dabbed or swallowed.
Class A if injected.
What is the mechanism of action of amphetamine?
Binds to transporter proteins for monoamines (such as dopamine, NA and 5HT) and is taken up into neurons. Once inside it disrupts monoamine storage vesicles, leading to build up inside the neuron. This reverses the transporter mechanism and releases the monoamines, leading to increased free dopamine and NA.
What are the acute effects of amphetamine?
Alert, energised, excited, chatty, agitated, panicked. hallucinations, aggressive.
Tachycardic, hypertension, hyperthermia, increased resp rate, arrhythmias, insomnia, hunger suppression.
After trying amphetamine, Harry is then introduced to a similar drug, but which his friend says will make him way higher, way quicker. It looks like crystals and they smoke it. He finds his friend is right and quickly finds himself using it frequently.
Which drug has Harry discovered?
Methamphetamine
Meth, Yaba, Christine, Tina, Ice, Glass, Crystal Meth, Crank
