Ch. 14.1. Substance abuse Flashcards
Is a drug with high affinity and low efficacy an agonist or an
antagonist?
it is an antagonist because by occupying the receptor it blocks out the reurotransmitter
How does predisposition to alcohol abuse relate to how the
liver metabolizes alcohol?
The liver metabolizes alcohol to acetaldehyde, which is toxic, and then to acetic acid. People whose enzymes are slow to metabolize acetaldehyde to acetic acid are less likely than others to abuse alcohol, because rapid or excessive drinking makes them ill.
How do sons of alcoholics differ behaviorally, on average,
from sons of nonalcoholics?
Sons of alcoholics show less intoxication, including less body sway, after drinking a moderate amount of alcohol.
What do drug use, sex, gambling, and video game playing have in common?
They increase the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
What evidence indicates that researchers have been overesti- mating the role of dopamine in addiction?
Many drugs other than the stimulants can be highly addictive despite only small effects on dopamine synapses. Also, drugs that modify dopamine release have little effect on the use of opiates.
During a period of abstinence from cocaine, what happens in
the nucleus accumbens?
Certain glutamate synapses in the nucleus accumbens become more responsive, causing increased excitation in response to cues associated with the substance. The result is craving, which increases for some time during abstinence
Someone who is quitting an addictive substance for the first
time is strongly counseled not to try it again. Why?
Taking an addictive drug during the withdrawal period is likely to lead to a habit of using the drug to relieve other kinds of distress.
Methadone users who try taking heroin experience little effect
from it. Why?
Because methadone is already occupy- ing the endorphin receptors, heroin cannot add much stimulation to them.
The gene with the best-documented effect on predisposition to alcohol abuse exerts its effect in what way (and what organ) ?
It alters how the liver metabolizes alcohol.
Genetic predisposition is most strongly evident for _______ onset alcohol-abuse.
early
Someone that has ______ effect after moderate drinking is more likely than avrage to abuse alcohol
little
What is the relationship between drug abuse and dopamine?
Most abused drugs release dopamine, but not in pro- portion to addictive potential.
What is the effect on the nucleus accumbens after repeated cocaine use?
The nucleus accumbens becomes less responsive to C. rewarding experiences.
What accounts for increased cravings during cocaine abstinence?
Increased sensitivity of glutamate synapses to cues for cocaine.
What evidence indicates that tolerance is to a large extent learned?
Tolerance is greater in the location where one previ- C. ously took the drug than elsewhere.
