Drugs of Absue Flashcards
What is substance dependence?*
A culmination of 3 or more of the following:
Continued use of despite substance related problems
Tolerance
Withdrawal Symptoms
What is tolerance *
The reduction in response to a drug after repeated administrations.
Opposite is sensitization
How does tolerance work?
Receptors are down regulated; reduced receptor sensitivity; increased compensatory mechanisms
What can be said about drugs of abuse and dopamine?
Modulate the mesolimbic system by increasing dopamine.
What is physical dependence?
The state that develops as a result of tolerance in response to repeated drug abuse.
Characterised by a withdrawal syndrome
Withdrawal
Evidence of physical dependence
caused by removal of drug, and usually opposite effects to drug
What are the origins of drug abuse?
Agent- the drug
Host- the user
Environment- the setting
Agent
Reinforcement, what makes the user want to use the drug again
Rapidity of onset
presence of withdrawal
The User
Personality- genetics, upbringing Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics Psychiactric disorders Psychological gain, social acceptance
Alcohol as an increasing dose and mortality
As you increase the dose of alcohol, increase the sedation/anaesthesia of the drug and can lead to death.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs in 50% of alcoholics, where 5% go into delerium tremens which has a mortality of 15%
Chronic alcochol abuse
Liver cirrhosis
Dilated cardiomyopathy
pancreatitis
Opioids uses
Analgesia
Respiratory depression
Sedation
Can cause hypotension, bradycardia
What are heroins high morbidity and mortality rates due to?
Overdose Infection (endocarditis, septicaemia) HIV and hepatitis transmission
What is methadone used for and why??
Replacement therapy of opioid abuser, used because long action and slower onset of action.
What can be said about chronic pain and opioids?
Substantial potential for abuse
