drug abuse Flashcards
mode of action of cocaine?
Monoamine reuptake inhibitor – dopamine,serotonin,noradrenaline increase
how quickly does cocaine affect people
depends on dose and rate of entry to the brain
smoking - almost immediate
injecting - 15 to 30 secs
snorting - 3 to 5 mins
the effects of crack smoking are very intense but quickly over ( 15 mins)
cocaine effects
stimulant and euphoriant
Anaesthetic effect
Hypersensitive
increased alertness and energy
increased confidence and impaired judgement
lessens appetite and desire for sleep
If mixed with alcohol - cocaethylene
cocaine health problems
damage to nose and airways
convulsions with respiratory failure
cardiac arrhythmia’s and MI
hypertension and CVA
toxic confusion
paranoid psychosis
cocaine withdrawal effects?
Depression Irritability Agitation Craving Hyperphagia Hypersomnia
Broadly opposite of drug effect
describe amphetamine?
Generally amphetamine sulphate
Sniffed, swallowed or injected
Effects similar to cocaine but longer lasting
Toxic confusion occasionally with convulsions and death
Amphetamine psychosis in heavy chronic use
example of opiates
Opium
Morphine
Heroin (diamorphine)
Methadone
Codeine and dihydrocodeine
how is heroine available as?
diamorphine or as diamorphine hydrochloride
mode of action of heroine?
Opiod agonist
Acts via mu (principally)
Acts principally via Mu ,Delta and Kappa receptors
Kappa and Delta – analgesia
Mu – mood effects, analgesia and euphoria
Half life of 30mins – multiple administrations needed if dependant ( increased risk) - subjective effect of approx. 4hrs
Heroine effects?
Analgesia
Emotional analgesia
Nausea initially
Euphoria
Pin point pupils
Itching/sweating
Constipation
Decreased libido/menstrual irregularities
Reduced cough reflex
effects of heroine overdoes
Respiratory depression
Snoring indicates risk
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Death
Risk increased if mixed with other respiratory depressants – alcohol, benzodiazepines etc
Naloxone – opiate antagonist
National Naloxone Programme
short term side effects of opitaes
nausea/vomiting and headache
medium term effects of opiates
phlebitis
endocarditis
Injection injuries/ consequences (BBVs)
Anorexia
Constipation
longer term affects of opiates
tolerance
Withdrawal
Social and health problems
describe opiates withdrawal syndrome
craving
insomnia
yawning
muscle pain and cramps
increased salivary, nasal and lacrimal secretions
dilated pupils
piloerection (hence ‘cold turkey’)
examples of Benxodiazepines?
Diazepam (Valium) Nitrazepam Temazepam Alprazolam (Xanax) Lorazepam Etizolam etc etc
what is ecstasy?
MDMA/ Mandy
what is found in ecstasy tabs/ Mandy/mdma?
contain no MDMA
instead nil active , LSD, amphetamine , ketamine
how does mandy make u feel?
likened to mixture of LSD and amphetamine
euphoria followed by feeling of calm
increased sociability
inability to distinguish
between what is and isn’t desirable
effects after 20 mins lasting 2-4 hours
Mandy effects?
Nausea and dry mouth
increased blood pressure and temperature
in clubs users risk dehydration
large doses can cause anxiety and panic
drug induced psychosis
? liver and brain cell damage
psychoactive parts of weed?
tetrahydrocannabino
Cannabis - psychological effects
relaxing or stimulating, euphoriant , increases sociability and hilarity, increases appetite, changes in time perception, synaesthesia
in higher dose - anxiety , panic , persecutory ideation, hallucinatory activity
Cannabis - ill effects
respiratory problems as with tobacco
toxic confusion
exacerbation of major mental illness
cannabis psychosis
examples of anabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids or steroids for brevity
Family of drugs comprising testosterone and many synthetic analogues
legitimately prescribed in hypogonadism, muscular dystrophy, various anaemias, wasting in AIDS
Testosterone
what are anabolic steroids for?
used as antidepressent
Use rapidly expanded in sports requiring muscle mass and strength
Also used to enhance appearance -increase muscle mass and reduce body fat
signs of anabolic steroid use
muscle hypertrophy from steroid use is particularly marked in the upper body in the pectoralis, deltoid, trapezius, and biceps
steroid side effects?
Skin – acne, stretch marks, baldness
Feminisation in males with hypogonadism and gynaecomastia (occasioning use of anti-oestrogens)
Virilisation in women including hirsutism, deep voice, clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularities, hair thinning
ill effects of steroids?
Cardiovascular – increased cholesterol and hypertension
Growth deficits due to premature closure of epiphyses
Liver Disease – cholestatic jaundice, liver tumours
psychological ill effects of steroid?
Irritability and anger – ‘roid rage’
Hypomania and mania
Depression and suicidality on withdrawal
treatment of drug addictions?
need to think: What drug What combinations Harmful/hazardous use? Dependency? Risk
Biopychosocial treatment packages
Strong emphasis on risk reduction
Abstinence vs Harm reduction debates
Treatment is effective
