B5,063 Prework 2: Opiod Abuse

Question 1

how are opioid analgesic effects exerted

Answer 1

bind to mu receptors
densely concentrated in brain regions that regulate pain perception and in brain reward regions
can produce both analgesia and euphoria

Question 2

respiratory depression associated with opioids

Answer 2

mu receptors in brain stem

Question 3

learned associated of opioid effects/pain

Answer 3

repeated receipt of opioids strengthen learned associations and over time become part of the desire for the drugs effect
mild levels of pain can trigger learned associations between pain and drug relief which can manifest as an urge for relief

Question 4

what are abuse deterrent formulations?

Answer 4

effects accentuated when delivered rapidly to brain
diverted opioids taken for pleasure are frequently injected
abuse deterrent formulas are designed to prevent crushing/injection

Question 5

what is tolerance

Answer 5

counter adaptations in opioid receptors and intracellular signaling cascades that increase over time and thus require increasing dose for chronic use
resolve rapidly after discontinuation

Question 6

what is addiction

Answer 6

only occurs in a small percentage
does not remit with discontinuation
carries a high risk of relapse

Question 7

how do you discontinue opioids

Answer 7

dose tapering to avoid development of withdrawal symptoms due to physical dependence

Question 8

features of addiction

Answer 8

pronounced craving
obsessive thinking
erosion of inhibitory control
compulsive drug taking