B1.3 Use and Abuse of Drugs

Question 1

Define ‘drug’

Answer 1

A substance which alters the body’s chemistry

Question 2

Define ‘addiction’

Answer 2

The body becoming dependent on a drug and not being able to function without it.

Question 3

Name and define three types of drug.

Answer 3

• Performance enhancing : drugs used illegally by athletes to improve performance in competition
• Medicinal : drugs used for medical purposes
• Recreational : drugs taken for pleasure

Question 4

What are two types of performance enhancing drugs?

Answer 4

• Anabolic steroids : increasing muscle size

- Stimulants : increasing heart rate

Question 5

What are the arguments against performance enhancing drugs?

Answer 5

• It’s unfair to have an advantage by taking drugs

- Athletes may not be fully informed of the health risks

Question 6

What are the arguments for performance enhancing drugs?

Answer 6

• Athletes have the right to their own decisions

- Sport is unfair anyway, different athletes have access to different equipment, trainers etc

Question 7

Explain the process of drug testing.

Answer 7

• The drug is tested on cells, tissues and isolated organs to see if it is toxic
• It’s tested on animals to see how it works in a whole organism
• Tested in low doses on a small number of healthy humans to see if it is safe in humans and to look for side effects
• If safe, tested on patients with the disease to see if safe and effective as well as to find the optimum dosage
• If the results show the drug is safe a license is granted for general use

Question 8

What was thalidomide originally developed as?

Answer 8

A sleeping pill

Question 9

What was thalidomide found useful?

Answer 9

Morning sickness in pregnancy

Question 10

What were the side effects of thalidomide?

Answer 10

Babies were born with severe limb deformities

Question 11

Why did the mistake with thalidomide happen?

Answer 11

It was not tested on pregnant animals/humans for use as a cure for morning sickness, it was only tested as a sleeping pill.

Question 12

What could thalidomide be useful for in the future?

Answer 12

• Leprosy

- Automimue

Question 13

What are statins used for?

Answer 13

To lower the risk of heart and circulatory disease

Question 14

How are clinical trials carried out?

Answer 14

• There are two groups
• Control group: given placebo
• Experiment group: real treatment
  (Both are given in the same way)
• It is a double-blind trial : neither the patient/doctor knows which group is which

Question 15

What is a placebo and why is it used?

Answer 15

• A tablet/injection without the active drug - to see how the patient’s attitude and belief in treatment can affect how body responds

Question 16

Why is a double-blind trial used?

Answer 16

Doctors may be biased and looking for a certain result.

Question 17

What effects does smoking have on the body?

Answer 17

• Heart disease (smoking raises blood pressure)
• Tobacco smoke causes cancer
• Emphysema (tar causes air sacs to break down)
• Nicotine is very addictive

Question 18

What effects does alcohol have on the body?

Answer 18

• Slows down the body’s reactions
• Impaired judgement, poor co-ordination, unconsciousness
• Liver disease, brain damage

Question 19

What effects can the misuse of illegal recreational drugs (e.g heroin, cocaine) have?

Answer 19

Adverse effects on the heart and circulatory system

Question 20

What effect does cannabis have on the body?

Answer 20

The smoke contains chemicals which may cause mental illness in some people

Question 21

What are the links some people make between cannabis and hard drugs?

Answer 21

• The effects of cannabis create a desire to try harder drugs
• Cannabis is a gateway drug - it brings users into contact with drug dealers
• Cannabis users are genetically more likely to do drugs anyway, so they will take harder drugs

Question 22

What is the legislation on performance enhancing drugs?

Answer 22

• Some are illegal
• Some are available on prescription
• All are banned by sporting regulations

Question 23

Why is the overall impact of legal drugs on health more than illegal ones on a population?

Answer 23

Because more people use them

Question 24

Why do addictive drugs cause dependency?

Answer 24

They change the chemical processes in people’s bodies so they suffer withdrawal symptoms without them.