drugs of abuse

Question 1

substance dependence syndrome

Answer 1

continued use despite substance-related problems

tolerance

withdrawal symptoms

Question 2

describe tolerance

Answer 2

in order to get same effect after repeated doses you have to increase the dose (opposite is sensitization)

Question 3

Mesolimbic dopamine system

Answer 3

center of the brain where addiction and drug abuse manifest, where neurotransmitter are released (dopamine)

• joins nucleus accumbens (pleasure centre)

Question 4

define physical dependence

Answer 4

develops as result of tolerance in response to repeated drug abuse

characterised by a withdrawal syndrome when drug is ceased

Question 5

withdrawal

Answer 5

physical dependence

caused by removal of the drug or CNS hyperarousal specific to the drug

opposite to the drug

Question 6

drug with the greatest physical harm and dependence

Answer 6

fentanyl
heroin
(then cocaine 2nd)

Question 7

describe the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and time

Answer 7

takes 2 hours for one drink to decay

takes 7 hours for 4 drinks to decay

> 7 goes from 1st order to zero order (linear)

Question 8

how many people drug overdoses in the US in 2017

Answer 8

64,000 just from opioids

38,000 in 2010

Question 9

reasons for increased drug overdoses

Answer 9

rate of opioid prescription has increased however so has the cost of the drugs.

Has become cheaper to buy heroin and fentanyl

Question 10

opioids

Answer 10

not all are the same in terms of CNS effect

abuse potential related to lipid solubility and euphoric high

diamorphine (heroin) > fentanyl > pethidine > morphine > codeine

methadone = long action, slower onset for tx in weaning programs

Question 11

WHO analgesic ladder

Answer 11

1. nonopioid
2. opioid for mild to moderate pain
3. opioid for moderate to severe pain

increase the strength of opioid overtime depending on increasing pain e.g. don’t jump straight to 3

Question 12

effects of amphetamines

Answer 12

anorexia, restlessness, euphoria, wakefulness

increase libido, energy, self esteem
increase irritability, aggression, neglect
psychosis, hypertension, MI, stroke

physical dependence less marked than other drugs but psychological dependence is significant

Question 13

synthetic cannabinoids

Answer 13

wide range of drugs that act on cannabinoid receptors

addictive with withdrawal

psychosis, seizures, renal failure, heart failure, arrythmia

much more potent than marijuana