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C. PsS MCAT > Drugs of Abuse > Flashcards

Drugs of Abuse Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

Incentivize behaviors beneficial to reproductive fitness, such as food and sex

A

function

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2
Q

Also known as the reward pathway, plays an important role in addiction
Regulated by the neurotransmitter dopamine

A

Mesolimbic pathway. Includes nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and projects to the limbic system (hippocampus and amygdala)

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3
Q

The start of the mesolimbic pathway. Function is to produce dopamine
Projects to nucleus accumbens, limbic system (hippocampus and amygdala), and prefrontal cortex

A

Ventral tegmental area

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4
Q

Controls motor functions
Part of the mesolimbic pathway

A

Nucleus accumbens

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5
Q

Processes emotions such as fear
Part of the mesolimbic pathway

A

Amygdala

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6
Q

Drug addiction has psychological and physiological components. Treatment should address both.

A

Treatment overview

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7
Q

Separation of addict from drug

A

detoxification

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8
Q

Used in treatment of opioid addiction.
Causes slow activation of opiate receptors, decreasing high and decreasing withdrawal symptoms.
Because of competitive inhibition, concurrent heroin use will not result in a high.

A

Methadone

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9
Q

Usually a nicotine patch
Used for cigarette (nicotine) addiction
Delivers low levels of nicotine to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms

A

Nicotine replacement therapy

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10
Q

Form of talk therapy focused on cognitive distortions and behaviors to change thinking patterns
Broadly applicable in psychiatry, including in substance use disorders

A

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

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11
Q

“Person-centered” approach to behavior change, whereby the clinician identifies the patient’s intrinsic motivation to change and helps them address ambivalence
In contrast, more traditional methods are prescriptive in nature

A

Motivational interviewing

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12
Q

Group therapy to overcome addiction
Popular examples = Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous

A

12 step programs

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13
Q

Three key ideas of 12 step programs

A
  1. Acceptance = acknowledge addiction is a problem
  2. Surrender = accept help offered through group and higher power
  3. Active Involvement = help other addicts
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14
Q

Recurrence of pathological drug use after abstinence

A

relapse

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15
Q

Substances that change brain function + alter perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior

A

psychoactive drugs

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16
Q

Categories of psychoactive drugs

A

Depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens

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17
Q

Decrease arousal and brain stimulation
Primarily calmative, sleep-inducing, anxiety-reducing, and anesthetizing
Include alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines

A

Depressants

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18
Q

Increase arousal and activity in the nervous system
Include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine

A

stimulants

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19
Q

Cause hallucinations + changes to perception, consciousness, and thoughts
Include psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, and DMT

A

Hallucinogens

20
Q

decrease CNS function, HR/BP, and induce sleep (similar to depressants)
Can cause death by respiratory depression
Include heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone
Mnemonic: T in opiates indicates they are natural, like trees

A

Opiates (natural) and opioids (synthetic)

21
Q

Physical or mental impairment due to influence of specific drug
Example: “high” with LSD, “drunk” with alcohol

A

Intoxication

22
Q

Two time frames of drug withdrawal:

A

acute and post-acute

23
Q

Duration: few weeks
Characteristics: physical withdrawal symptoms

A

Acute withdrawal

24
Q

Duration: up to 2 years
Characteristics: psychological and emotional symptoms, such as sleep difficulties, anxiety, irritability, impaired concentration

A

Post acute withdrawal syndrome

25
Q

Disorders caused by the substance, such as disorders relating to mood, anxiety, sleep, sexual function, psychosis

A

Substance-induced disorders

26
Q

Significant impairment in life at work/school/home due to substance use
Usage patterns = failing to meet expectations, frequent cravings
Withdrawal symptoms are common

A

Substance-use disorders

27
Q

Begin after 4-12 hours, peak at 2 days, and improve at 4-5 days
Symptoms include hand tremors, delirium tremens, insomnia, fever
Treated with benzodiazepines

A

Alcohol withdrawal

28
Q

One must first have reached a point of drug dependence
Abrupt discontinuation results in symptoms

A

drug withdrawal

29
Q

Physical dependence is comprised of

A

Neurochemical changes = changes to neural connections, receptors, or neurotransmitters
Withdrawal symptoms = tremors, headaches, nausea, etc.
Tolerance = progressively larger doses required for the desired effect

30
Q

Psychological dependence includes

A

Comprised of cravings, anxiety, panic, or anhedonia (lack of pleasure)

31
Q

Routes of drug administration
Description: Absorption via GI system
Pharmacodynamics: Slow
Addictive potential: Low
Examples: Alcohol, pills/tablets

A

oral

32
Q

Routes of drug administration
Description: Absorption via respiratory system
Pharmacodynamics: Fast
Addictive potential: Medium
Examples: Tobacco, cocaine, marijuana

A

Inhalation

33
Q

Routes of drug administration
Description: Absorption through skin
Pharmacodynamics: Slow
Addictive potential: Low
Examples: Nicotine patch

A

Transdermal

34
Q

Routes of drug administration
Description: Injection into venous blood
Pharmacodynamics: Fastest
Addictive potential: High
Examples: Heroin

A

Intravenous

35
Q

Routes of drug administration
Description: Injection into muscle
Pharmacodynamics: Fast
Addictive potential: Low
Examples: Epinephrine

A

Intramuscular

36
Q

Addictive potential

A

The faster the route of entry of a drug, the greater the addictive potential, all else being equal

37
Q

Living systems maintain steady states with regards to various physiologic functions, such as temperature, digestion, circulation, etc.

A

homeostasis

38
Q

Repeated drug use results in reduced effect of the drug
Can be attributed to principles of homeostasis

A

Drug tolerance
Shift in the dose-response curve → decreased sensitivity

39
Q

Repeated exposure of receptor to ligand results in fewer available receptors

A

Receptor downregulation

40
Q

More available receptors as a result of decreased exposure of receptor to ligand or antagonistic drug exposure

A

Receptor upregulation

41
Q

Tolerance to one drug results in changes in tolerance to another drug
Usually due to a shared receptor

A

Cross tolerance

42
Q

“Downer”
Slow down CNS
Primarily GABA receptors
Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines

A

depressants

43
Q

“Upper”
Speed up CNS, elevate mood
Primarily dopamine receptors
Caffeine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, nicotine

A

stimulants

44
Q

Hallucinations, altered perceptions
Altered mental status, perception changes
5HT serotonin receptors
Psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT

A

Hallucinogens

45
Q

Increased analgesic effects, similar to but NOT depressants
Decrease sensation of pain
Opioid receptors (normally bind to endorphins)
Heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone

A

Opioids/opiates

C. PsS MCAT (34 decks)

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