Drug dependency Flashcards
What’s dependence?
dependence - an adaptive state associated with withdrawal symptoms if exposure to the substance/stimulus is stopped
What effects do opioids produce?
Opioids
- confident, warm, safe, pain-free, invincible /pl niepokonany/
- constricted pupils, hallucinations, addiction, withdrawal, overdose
What effects do stimulants produce?
Stimulants
- increased energy
- increased HR, dilated pupils
- paranoia, anxiety
- sexual arousal but impotence
What effects do empathogens produce?
Empathogens
- loved, connected, warmth, understanding, arousal, belonging
- depression, mood swing
What effects do psychedelics produce?
Psychedelics
- ‘trips’, spiritual connection
- heightened senses, visual/auditory hallucinations
- anxiety, panic, mental health issues
What effects do dissociatives produce?
Dissociatives
- ‘out of the body’, floating
- euphoric, disconnected, relaxed
- scared, unable to move, ‘in a hole’
What effects do cannabinoids produce?
Cannabinoids
- calm, chilled out, giggly, sensual
- paranoid, dry mouth, lazy, sleepy, mental health issues
What effects do depressants produce?
Depressants
- euphoric, confident, relaxed
- risk-taking, vomiting, withdrawal
- unconsciousness, coma, death
Drugs belonging to class A
- examples
- prison length
Class A
Examples: ecstasy, LSD, crack, cocaine, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (injections)
Prison:
- possession - up to 7 years
- dealing - up to life in prison
Drugs belonging to class B
- examples
- prison length
Class B drugs
Examples: Ketamine, Amphetamines (non-injection)
Prison:
- possession - up to 5 years
- dealing - up to 14 years
Drugs belonging to class C
- examples
- prison length
Class C drugs
Examples: cannabis, tranquilizers, gamma hydroxybutyrate
Prison:
- possession - up tp 2 years in prison
- dealing - up to 14 years in prison
What is the fastest method of drug delivery that affects drug concentration in the brain?
Inhalation, then injection
What are the effects of cocaine similar to?
Halfway between amphetamine and ecstasy
(euphoria, love, agitation, isomnia)
How do amphetamine, cocaine and Ecstasy (MDMA) work on a physiological level?
Amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy:
- all increase levels of monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline)
*different balance of monoamines - different behaviors:
A. amphetamine - mostly dopamine
B. Ecstasy - mostly serotonin
Physiological effects of cocaine
Cocaine
- Na+ channel blocker (anaesthetic)
- stimulant; appetite supressant
- Triple re-uptake inhibitor (noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin)
What is more dangerous: cocaine or amphetamine?
- Cocaine is more dangerous
- due to Na+ channel blockage (coronary and myocardial disease - sudden death)
What’s ‘crack’?
- components
- effects
‘Crack;
Mixture of: cocaine + sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) + water
Effects: immediate ‘high’ when inhaled
What’s ‘speedball’?
- components
- why it is dangerous?
‘Speedball’
Mixture of: heroin + cocaine (injection)
*it is particularly dangerous because it masks symptoms of OD