Drug Therapy For Addiction

Question 1

3 main types of drugs.

Answer 1

Aversives, Agonists, Antagonists.

Question 2

Aversives.

Answer 2

Main effect - to produce unpleasant consequences.

Question 3

Agonists.

Answer 3

Effectively drug substitutes.
Activate neuron receptors, providing a similar effect to addictive substance.
Stabilise individual because they are used to control the withdrawal syndrome, allowing a gradual reduction in dose and symptoms.

Question 4

Antagonists.

Answer 4

Treat addiction by blocking receptor sites so that the substance of dependence cannot have its usual effects especially the feeling of euphoria.
Other interventions is advised to be used alongside antagonists.

Question 5

Drug therapy for nicotine addiction.

Answer 5

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) uses gum, inhalers or patches to deliver psychoactive substance in tobacco smoke but in less harmful fashion.
Nicotine - major addictive substance.

Question 6

NRT.

Answer 6

Provides user with clean, controlled dose of nicotine which operates neurochemically as an agonist activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in mesolimbic pathway of brain. Stimulates release of dopamine in nucleus accumbens.
Using NRT = amount of nicotine can be reduced over time by using smaller and smaller patches, so withdrawal syndrome can be manages over period of 2/3 months, reducing the unpleasantness of withdraw symptoms.

Question 7

Drug therapy for gambling addiction.

Answer 7

No drugs officially approved to treat.
Neurochemical explanation taps into the same dopamine reward system as heroin, nicotine and other drugs.
Opioid antagonists enhance release of neurotransmitter GABA in mesolimbic pathway.
Increased GABA activity reduces release of dopamine in nucleus accumbens.