Addictions

Question 1

what are the 2 distnict components of drug dependence?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

how does Heroin work (effect dopamine levels)?

Answer 2

increases firing rate of dopaminergic neurones

Question 3

how do Amphetamines work?

Answer 3

increases dopamine release

Question 4

How does Cocaine work?

Answer 4

inhibits dopamine uptake

Question 5

what are the main structures in the brain which composes the rewards pathway?

Answer 5

The information travels from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and then up to the prefrontal cortex. This is activated by a rewarding stimulus

Question 6

what are the effects of Cocaine?

Answer 6

stimulant and euphoriant, increased alertness and energy, increased confidence and impaired judgement, lessens appetite and desire for sleep

Question 7

bad effects of Cocaine

Answer 7

damage to nose and airways, convulsions with respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmia’s and MI, hypertension and CVA, toxic confusion, paranoid psychosis

Question 8

Withdrawl effects of cocaine

Answer 8

depression, anxiety, agitation, craving, hyperphagia, hypersomnia

Question 9

Amphetamines - effects

Answer 9

toxic confusion, convulsions, amphetamine psychosis in heavy chronic use. Effects simillar to cocaine but longerlasting

Question 10

give examples of opiates

Answer 10

opium, heroine, morphine, mathadone, codine, dihydrocodine.

Question 11

effects of Opiates

Answer 11

Intense but transient feeling of pleasure, “A rush”, Almost orgasmic, Physical and emotional anaesthetic

Question 12

what are the effects of Heroine?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

adverse effects of heroine…

Answer 13

respiratory arrest with a pulse, pinpoint pupils unreactive to light, snoring, shallow respiration, bradycardia, hypotension, varying degree of reduced consciousness.

Question 14

side effects of Opiates

Answer 14

nausea, vomiting, headache, phlebitis, anorexia, constipation, tolerance, withdrawl, social and health problems.

Question 15

Opiate withdrawl syndrome

Answer 15

craving, insomnia, Yawning, muscle pain and cramps, increased salivary, nasal and lacrimal secretions, dilated pupils, piloerection (hence ‘cold turkey’)

Question 16

MDMA effects

Answer 16

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

Question 17

MDMA side effects

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

what is the active substance in Cannabis?

Answer 18

tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive agent, there is also CBD which is nonpsychoactive

Question 19

psychological effects of cannabis

Answer 19

relaxing or stimulating, euphoriant , increases sociability and hilarity, increases appetite, changes in time perception, synaesthesia

Question 20

bad effects of cannabis

Answer 20

repiratory problems, toxic confusion, exacerbation of mental illness, cannabis psychosis? Anxiety, panic, persecutory ideation, hallucinatory activity.

Question 21

Anabolic steroids side effects

Answer 21

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