Drug Abuse vs Drug Addiction - Module 3

Question 1

Drugs of abuse and addiction fall between two poles:

Answer 1

1. Uppers - excite the CNS
2. Downers - Produce drowsiness
   both create a sense of euphoria

Question 2

Drug abuse

Answer 2

is a “behavior” that all people are capable of doing- most have done it whether they know it or not

Question 3

Addiction

Answer 3

is a “disease” that requires a genetic disposition and the volition to activate it

Question 4

Alcoholism and addiction defined

Answer 4

is the disease

most diseases have a component of genetic disposition, environmental influence, and human volition.

Question 5

Antabuse (disulfiram)

Answer 5

use to quit Alcohol and produce a large amount of “hang-over”
prevents the elimination of acetaldehyde, a chemical the body produces when breaking down ethanol

Question 6

Acetaldehyde

Answer 6

is the cause of many hangover

Question 7

Naltrexone for maintenance

Answer 7

** addicts who actually want to “stop altogether”

also use to quit Alcohol by reduces the craving for alcohol - use when they quit drinking.

Also works for people who are addicted to opioids by binding to and antagonizing the Mu rc, theyby blocking the ffects of drugs like heroin in the brain - No feeling of pleasure is produced, no euphoria

Question 8

Three kinds of medicines are currently used to treat opioid overdose, opioid detoxification, and opioid maintenance

Answer 8

1. naloxone (Narcan) - full mu receptor antagonist
2. naltrexone - full mu receptor antagonist
3. methadone - full mu agonist
   * * each is used in a different situations

Question 9

Narcan (naloxone) for Overdose

Answer 9

only given parenteral I.V. administration - pure Mu rc antagonist

• it has a very short T1/2, it is used in ED cases of overdoses opioids
• prevent opioid induced euphoria and analgesia
• found in every “Crash cart”

Question 10

Methadone for Detox

Answer 10

if an opioid is used to smooth the transition through detox. To slowly taper the patient over a few wks.

Question 11

Naltrexone for Maintenance

Answer 11

After the detoxification - comes the “maintenance” phase.

this treatment option is only effective for those addicts who actually want to stop altogother.

Question 12

Naloxone (Narcan)

Answer 12

is a drug that can reverse overdoses form prescription opioids or heroin.

when administered, it blocks the effects of opiates on the brain and restores breathing.

Question 13

Oxycodon (Oxycontin)

Answer 13

OO - old tablets

OP - new tablets

Question 14

Harm Reduction

Answer 14

Methadone clinic - methadone maintenance for the rest of the addicts’ life. No intention to quit (recovery is never the goal) - getting daily doses of Methadone is the only thing they care about.

Question 15

Methadone clinics

Answer 15

provide registered addicts with a daily “maintenance” dose that prevents the need for addicts to “score” other opioids during daytime - resulting in less crime and disease form dirty needles - this is called “Harm Reduction

Question 16

Stimulants

Answer 16

• amphetamines like “meth” (methamphetamine). Rx form of amphetamines have been used to treat hyperactivity in children ADHD
• Cocaine “crack”

Question 17

Depressants

Answer 17

• Alcohol (diethyl alcohol or ethanol
• Benzoliazepines like Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam)
• Naloxone (Narcan)
• Naltrexone
  Methdone, heroin, and morphine

Question 18

Hallucinogens

Answer 18

• LSD (Lysergic acide or just “acid” - 1938)
• Peyote (a cactus plant) and it’s chief ingredient Mescaline.
• Alkaloids fount in “shrooms” (certain mushrooms)

Question 19

Cannabinoids

Answer 19

like marijuanna and hashish

mimic the action of similar endogenouse substances that bind to the cannabinoid rc.

Question 20

Inhalants

Answer 20

Tabacco (nicotine)
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Volatile solvents like "glue", gasoline and paint thinners