drug abuse and addiction

Question 1

drug abuse definition

Answer 1

intake of chemicals not used legally or as prescribed

Question 2

drug addiction definition

Answer 2

compulsive drug use nature despite physical/psychological harm

Question 3

drug dependence is defined by which symptoms

Answer 3

tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

Question 4

drug addiction symptoms

Answer 4

user feels compelled to continue drug usage to maintain a particular state of well-being

Question 5

what is a designer drug

Answer 5

synthetic drug with chemical make-up similar to that of an existing drug with similar or stronger effects. may be more potent and dangerous due to the chemical structure changes

Question 6

why are drugs a reward

Answer 6

drug abuse leads to a large release of dopamine, which allows us to feel good, leading to importance placed on the stimuli that releases dopamine.

Question 7

why do drug abusers seeks higher doses or take drugs frequently

Answer 7

overtime, the brain response to the massive release of dopamine by reducing the amount of dopamine receptors.
this reduces the ability to feel pleasure making us depressed.
therefore, feel compulsed to seek out drugs

Question 8

cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) mechanism

Answer 8

1. blocks dopamine transporter, inhibits reuptake of dopamine. dopamine remains in synapse and binds to receptor, resulting in activation of dopamine related responses
2. will stimulate further release of dopamine

Question 9

cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) overdose effects

Answer 9

1. increase blood pressure and heart rate
2. increased body temperature
3. irregular body movements
4. headaches

Question 10

cocaine overdose treatment

Answer 10

airway, breathing, circulation

Question 11

amphetamine mechanism (4 parts)

Answer 11

1. bind to transporter protein, prevent reuptake
2. inhibit VMAT to disrupt storage vesicle and lead to release of dopamine through transporters
3. inhibit reuptake by competitive inhibition
4. inhibit monoamine oxidase

Question 12

amphetamine overdose effects

Answer 12

1. neurotoxicity - oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury, apoptosis
2. sympathomimetic toxidrome
3. strong addiction

Question 13

opiates and opioid mechanism

Answer 13

bind to opioid receptors, activate u-opioid and k-receptors in CNS, leading to the buildup of dopamine

Question 14

effects of opioid derivatives (e.g. fentanyl)

Answer 14

seizure, pin-point pupils, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing

Question 15

drug abuse test assay specimen

Answer 15

1. urine
2. serum
3. hair
4. nails

Question 16

immunoassay principle for DAT

Answer 16

1. sample added solubilises mouse anti-antigen antibody with colouring
2. antigen in the sample conjugates with fixed antibody on the test strip and forms a coloured band
3. goat anti-mouse antibody binds to excess mouse anti-antigen antibody forming the control band

Question 17

mass spectrometry principle

Answer 17

1. sample is processed and rendered
2. liquid/gas chromatography to separate
3. molecule is broken into different sizes
4. fingerprint is formed
5. compare to library and match percentage to identify