Addictions Flashcards
what are the 2 distnict components of drug dependence?
Physical dependence which develops as a consequence of tolerance to the drug, Psychological craving which is a result of stimulation of the reward pathways in the brain
how does Heroin work (effect dopamine levels)?
increases firing rate of dopaminergic neurones
how do Amphetamines work?
increases dopamine release
How does Cocaine work?
inhibits dopamine uptake
what are the main structures in the brain which composes the rewards pathway?
The information travels from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and then up to the prefrontal cortex. This is activated by a rewarding stimulus
what are the effects of Cocaine?
stimulant and euphoriant, increased alertness and energy, increased confidence and impaired judgement, lessens appetite and desire for sleep
bad effects of Cocaine
damage to nose and airways, convulsions with respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmia’s and MI, hypertension and CVA, toxic confusion, paranoid psychosis
Withdrawl effects of cocaine
depression, anxiety, agitation, craving, hyperphagia, hypersomnia
Amphetamines - effects
toxic confusion, convulsions, amphetamine psychosis in heavy chronic use. Effects simillar to cocaine but longerlasting
give examples of opiates
opium, heroine, morphine, mathadone, codine, dihydrocodine.
effects of Opiates
Intense but transient feeling of pleasure, “A rush”, Almost orgasmic, Physical and emotional anaesthetic
what are the effects of Heroine?
Analgesia, drowsiness, euphoria, pleasure, respiratory depressoin, cough reflex depression, sensitization of the labyrinth with nausea and vomiting, decreased sympathetic outflow (bradycardia, hypotension), lowers body temp, pupillary constriction, constipation.
adverse effects of heroine…
respiratory arrest with a pulse, pinpoint pupils unreactive to light, snoring, shallow respiration, bradycardia, hypotension, varying degree of reduced consciousness.
side effects of Opiates
nausea, vomiting, headache, phlebitis, anorexia, constipation, tolerance, withdrawl, social and health problems.
Opiate withdrawl syndrome
craving, insomnia, Yawning, muscle pain and cramps, increased salivary, nasal and lacrimal secretions, dilated pupils, piloerection (hence ‘cold turkey’)
MDMA effects
euphoria followed by feeling of calm, increased sociability, inability to distinguish between what is and isn’t desirable, effects after 20 mins lasting 2-4 hours
MDMA side effects
Nausea and dry mouth, increased blood pressure and temperature, in clubs users risk dehydration, large doses can cause anxiety and panic, drug induced, psychosis, liver and brain cell damage. Serotonin levels decrease with substancial use ove time.
what is the active substance in Cannabis?
tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive agent, there is also CBD which is nonpsychoactive
psychological effects of cannabis
relaxing or stimulating, euphoriant , increases sociability and hilarity, increases appetite, changes in time perception, synaesthesia
bad effects of cannabis
repiratory problems, toxic confusion, exacerbation of mental illness, cannabis psychosis? Anxiety, panic, persecutory ideation, hallucinatory activity.
Anabolic steroids side effects
Skin – acne, stretch marks, baldness. Feminisation in males with hypogonadism and gynaecomastia (occasioning use of anti-oestrogens). Virilisation in women including hirsutism, deep voice, clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularities, hair thinning.
increased cholestrol, hypertension, growth defecits, liver disease, roid rage, mania, depression and suicidality on withdrawl
