Drug abuse

Question 1

mechanism of action

Answer 1

share pharm property of enhancing dopamine activity in nucleus accumbens

Question 2

drug abuse

Answer 2

Use of drug for nonmedical reasons

Question 3

3 types of nonmedical drug use

Answer 3

Experimental use, circumstantial use/recreational, compulsive use

Question 4

drug toxicity

Answer 4

can occur due to single dose or chronic use; phsyiological and psychological-physiologic symptoms. Toxicity virtually inevitable with chronic drug abuse

Question 5

reinforcing effects

Answer 5

ability of drug to produce feelings making user desire to take drug again (those producing more euphoria more likely to get abused)

Question 6

acute toxicity

Answer 6

related to predictable target actions of drug at systems apart from mesolimbic reward pathway

Question 7

Tolerance

Answer 7

with repeated administration, the same dose elicits smaller effects; several mechanisms

Question 8

mechanisms of tolerance

Answer 8

metabolic tolerance, pharmacodynamic tolerance, learned tolerance (behavioral and conditioned), reversed tolerance, cross tolerance

Question 9

Metabolic (dispositional) tolerance

Answer 9

change in pharmacokinetics resulting in lower drug concentrations at active site – metabolism is primary mechanism (more rapid degradation of drug)

Question 10

pharmacodynamic tolerance

Answer 10

learned response at active site to same drug concentration–changes in receptor sensitivity or other adaptive changes

Question 11

learned tolerance

Answer 11

reduced effects of drug due to learned compensatory mechanisms

Behavioral tolerance – skills developed due to repeated experience attempting to function despite mild-moderate intoxication

Conditioned: develps when environmental cues (sights, smells, situations) consistently paired with drug admin

Question 12

Reverse tolerance

Answer 12

sensitization (increased response) followign repeated doses; sensitization in nucleus accumbens may play a role in drug craving properties

Question 13

Cross tolerance

Answer 13

after tolerance develops to one drug, also seen in other drugs, usually of same class or acting through similar pharmacodynamic mechanisms. Used in detox procedures

Question 14

Physical dependence

Answer 14

repeated drug use alters physiological state such that need to take drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms; biologic phenomenon involving resetting of homeostatic mechanisms

Question 15

Withdrawal

Answer 15

Rebound effects on physiological systems that have been modified by chronic drug use; opposite effects of the acute drug effects

CAN BE FATAL

Question 16

Cross dependence

Answer 16

ability of drug to suppress the withdrawal associated with physical dependence on another drug. degree of cross dependence related to pharmacological effects rather than chemical similarities

seen in morphine/other opioids; between alochol/barbituates/ other sedative-hypnotics

Question 17

psychological dependence

Answer 17

perceived need for drug (craving) in absence of physiological dependence or withdrawal phenomenon

Question 18

addiction

Answer 18

extreme example of compulsive drug use; become overwhelmingly concerned with use of drug and getting it with tendency to relapse after withdrawal; imprecise

Question 19

T/F Tolerance and dependence coexist always

Answer 19

False

Question 20

do addiction and physical dependence always coexist

Answer 20

NO

Question 21

Opiates/Opioids abused

Answer 21

oxycodone, hydrocodone

Question 22

action of Opioids/opiates

Answer 22

interaction with endogenous opiate receptors (esp mu)

Question 23

major effects leading to abuse

Answer 23

euphoria,