Drugs of Abuse (Week 5) Flashcards
Abuse
Self-administration of any drug in a culturally disapproved manner that causes adverse consequences.
Addiction
A behavioral patter of drug abuse characterized by overhwhelming involvement with the use of a drug(compulsive use), the securing of its supply, and a high tendency to relapse after discontinuation.
Compulsivity
-Repetitive actions inappropriate to the situation that persist, have no obvious relationship to the overall goal and that often result in undesirable consequences: behavior that results in perseveration in responding in the face of adverse consequences;perseveration in responding in the face of incorrect responses in choice situations or persistent reinitiation of habitual acts.
dependence
physiological adaptation produced by repeated administration of drugs such as alcohol, heroin, benzos. When abruptly discontinued they are associated with physical drug withdrawal distinct from the motivational changes of acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence which is part of addiction.
tolerance
After repeated administration a given dose of a drug produces a decreased effect or a larger dose must be administered to obtain the prior effects.
Withdrawal
psychological and physiological reactions to abrupt cessation of a dependence producing drug.
Common neurotransmitters involved in dependenceo
dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, endorphins, GABA, Glutamate
Most important neurotransmitters involved in addiction
Dopamine and glutamate
Which type of addiction most involves dopamine?
amphetamines, cocaine, ETOH
Which type of drug most affects serotonin?
LSD, ETOH, DMT, Psilocybin
Which drug most affects endorphins
opiates, ETOH
Which Drugs most affect GABA?
Benzodiazepines and ETOH
Which drugs most affect acetylcholine?
NIcotine and ETOH
Which drug affects Anandamide
Cannabis
Where do drugs leading to addiction increase dopamine?
ventral striatum
Where is the pleasure center?
Mesolimbic pathway
Cocaine adverse effects:
-rhabdomyelosis from hypermetabolic state.
-vasoconstriction that may outlast use.
-Tactile hallucinations associated with withdrawal.
-transient psychosis with intoxication
-Neuroadaptation: prevention of dopamine reuptake.
What medication can be used to treat cocaine dependence?
Disulfuram 250 mg daily to reduce cravings
Amphetamines
-Similar intoxication to cocaine but generally longer
-no vasconstriction effect
-chronic use results in neurotoxicity (possibly from glutamate and axonal degeneration).
-can see permanent amphetamine psychosis with continued use.
-no known substances to reduce cravings. naltrexone and buprenorphine are being studied.
-Amphetamines inhibit reuptake of DA,NE, SE. Greatest effect by increased release of DA.
How is cocaine dependence treated?
psychotherapy, support, education, relapse prevention skills.
nicotine
Tolerance is rapid
-withdrawal symptoms: dysphoria, irritability, anxiety, decreased concentration, insomnia, increased appetite, weight gain, cravings
-nicotine intoxication: abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, N/V, palpitations, self limited.