CHAP 3 /SLIDE 3 Flashcards
The 4 Groups of Substances
Depressants
Stimulants
Opioids
Hallucinogens
This group of substances: _________
- Result in behavioural sedation & relaxation
- Decrease CNS activity & reduce levels of physiological arousal
Include: _____________________
Depressants
– alcohol, sedatives (calming, hypnotic, sleep-inducing & anxiety drugs)
The commonly used substance in the group of depressants is ______
Alcohol
Apparent stimulation is the initial effect of ______ (although a depressant)
Initially - feel more _______
Then gradually - _________
Alcohol
- Out going
- Reaction time slows, judgment becomes poor, motor coordination is impaired & etc.
Effects of alcohol on the body
Orally administered
Following ingestion:
Easily absorbed from the GI tract:
10% absorbed by the stomach
It then travels to the small intestine where the remaining (90%) is absorbed into the bloodstream
Of the alcohol that reaches general circulation:
95% metabolized by the liver (& excreted in urine)
5% is excreted by the lungs breath analyzer test
Effects of alcohol on the brain
- Alcohol has an effect on numerous neurotransmitters, including
GABA – may explain the anti-anxiety properties of alcohol
Dopamine– explains the pleasurable feelings experienced when drinking alcohol
Serotonin– may explain alcoholic cravings
Glutamate – may explain blackouts/loss of memory of the period of intoxication
Signs of Alcohol intoxication include ________
Mood lability (mood swings), slurred speech, impaired judgement, incoordination, impaired attention/memory, unsteady gait
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawals include ______
Sweating, hand / body tremors, transient visual or auditory hallucinations , agitation, seizures, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, anxiety (extreme cases = Delirium Tremens)
pattern of problems including learning difficulties, behaviour deficits & characteristic physical flaws due to alcohol in the womb
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
____________ results in confusion & loss of muscle coordination
- Caused by a deficiency in thiamine (a vitamin metabolized poorly by heavy drinkers)
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Consequences of excessive drinking
Liver disease & cardiovascular disorders
Dementia
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS):
______: The deterioration of brain functioning
Can be a direct result of neurotoxicity or poisoning of the brain by excessive amounts of alcohol
Dementia (alcohol induced)
Prevalence of Alcohol in Society
Men are more likely to drink & do so more heavily
Heavy drinking:
Men: 5+ drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the past year
Women: 4+ drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the past year
Higher rates of alcohol use disorders in European (Hungary and Russia) & American (USA) regions
Rate of alcohol use varies across countries due to
Different attitudes towards drinking
Availability of alcohol
Family norms
Physiological reactions
Predictors of later overuse of Alcohol
- Drinking at an early age(i.e., between 11-14 years old) is predictive of developing later alcohol-related disorders
- Lacking (or experiencing milder) physiological response to the sedative effects of alcohol may increase the likelihood of later misuse
- Mixing alcohol with highly caffeinated energy drinks may be problematic
This group of substances: _________
Enhance alertness & activity & elevate mood, arousal & concentration
Include: amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine & caffeine
The most commonly used drugs in Canada (______)
Stimulants
(Caffeine)
The Most commonly used stimulant in North America
(Caffeine)
Caffeine use disorders
cognitive, biological, behavioural & social problems associated with the use & misuse of caffeine
Caffeine In small doses: __________
Caffeine In larger doses: causes ______
elevates mood & reduces fatigue
insomnia
Caffeine is known as a ______________, because it is less harmful than other addictive drugs (but still problematic)
“A gentle stimulant”
Regular use of Caffiene results in
Tolerance
Dependence
Intoxication
Withdrawal (headache, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, difficulty concentrating etc.)
Tobacco-related disorders
Cognitive, biological, behavioural & social problems associated with the use & misuse of nicotine
_______ , another highly common stimulant drug is a psychoactive substance that produces patterns of dependence, tolerance & withdrawal
Nicotine
Smoking prevalence is higher in men or women?
Men
___________ is typically inhaled into the lungs - and enters the ______
After ____ seconds reaches the brain
Nicotine / Tobacco
blood stream
7-19