Drugs of Abuse

Question 1

Mechanism of Reinforcement/abuse of drugs

Answer 1

Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Correction of deficient endorphin or reinforcement system
Need to continue use due to downregulation of endorphin or reinforcement system
Associative learning/condition

Question 2

Positive reinforcement in drug abuse

Answer 2

Increased release of DA in the nucleus accumbens (mesolimbic pathway)

Question 3

Negative reinforcement in drug abuse

Answer 3

gradual dependence of alleviation of preexisting dysphoria or painful states (self-medicating)

Question 4

Associative learning/conditioning in drug abuse

Answer 4

drug effects & withdrawal become linked w/cues & mood states

Question 5

Opioid analgesics

Answer 5

bind to opioid receptors and relieve pain (analgesia)

Question 6

Activation of which receptor has the strongest analgesic effect and most abuse potential?

Answer 6

µ receptor

Question 7

What is the second most abused illicit drug?

Answer 7

Rx opioid analgesics

Question 8

What is the 1st most abused illicit drug?

Answer 8

Marijuana

Question 9

Acute effects of alcohol abuse

Answer 9

executive disinhibition
extremely poor judgment
MVA's
date rape
unprotected sex
spousal or child abuse
aggression
crime
death

Question 10

Time out

Answer 10

Alcohol represents time out from the usual rules of daily behavior that govern behavior

Question 11

Alcohol myopia

Answer 11

When intoxicated, local and immediate cues govern behavior

Question 12

T or F: alcohol has both positive and negative reinforcing effects, which explains some addictive potential.

Answer 12

T

Question 13

What are the positively reinforcing effects of alcohol use?

Answer 13

increase of DA release in the mesolimbic pathway by stimulating opioid and cannabinoid receptors on DA neurons in VTA, thereby reinforcing and increasing craving

Question 14

What are the negatively reinforcing effects of alcohol use?

Answer 14

It’s anxiolytic, causing CNS inhibition/depression by enhancing GABAA and inhibits NMDA-Glu receptors

Question 15

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Answer 15

Small brains, learning disabilities, low IQ’s, hyperactivity, physical abnormalities

Question 16

What is the active ingredient in marijuana obtained from cannabis sativa

Answer 16

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Question 17

What receptor does THC act on?

Answer 17

CB1

Question 18

Anandamide

Answer 18

an endocannabinoid that plays a role in forgetting so that the brain is not overwhelmed with information

Question 19

Acute effects of MJ at usual doses

Answer 19

Relaxation, sense of well-being, friendliness, sense of having special insights
Loss of temporal awareness (time estimation, confusion, past w/present); slowed cognitive processing; impaired selective & divided attention, short-term memory, cognitive flexibility

Question 20

Acute effects of MJ at toxic doses

Answer 20

panic, delirium, paranoia, psychosis

Question 21

Effects of chronic, heavy (daily) use

Answer 21

• shortened attention span, distractibility, impaired judgement, short-term memory deficits (which may persist after use)
• Hypomotivational syndrome, impaired communication & interpersonal skills, introversion, loss of insight, feelings of personalization

Question 22

What impact does chronic MJ use have on patients at risk for schizophrenia?

Answer 22

• precipitation of ill,ess
• lower age of onset
• exacerbate current illness

Question 23

What are some of the positive benefits of using MJ?

Answer 23

• May suppress appetite and reduce pain sensitivity

- May lower BP, reduce nausea and decrease intraocular pressure in glaucoma