Exam 3 - Drug addiction Flashcards
A state of decreased sensitivity to a drug as a result of previous exposure to it is called
A. Tolerance
B. withdrawal
C. Psychological dependence
D. sensitization
A
Although ________ is classified as a depressant, it has stimulant effects at low doses.
A. Tobacco
B. alcohol
C. Cocaine
D. amphetamine
B
The main health hazard of chronic marijuana smoking appears to be
A. amotivational syndrome
B. cancer
C. bradycardia
D. respiratory problems
D
Although________ is extremely addictive, there are few obvious withdrawal symptoms when a binge is terminated.
a. Alcohol c. opium
b. Cocaine d. nicotine
B
Withdrawal from which of the following drugs is like a bad flu?
a. Nicotine c. cocaine
b. Alcohol d. heroin
D
Drug
any substance we can take into our body that has the power to change us either functionally or structurally
Psychoactive drug
a drug that affects mental functioning
Psychopharmacology
the study of the effects of drugs on behavior
Pharmacodynamics
ways in which a drug affects the living organism and the organs of the body
Pharmacokinetics
how a drug moves through the body (absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination)
What are the routes of administration for drugs? Which are the fastest and slowest?
- oral (slowest)
- intramuscular
- intraperitoneal
- intravenous (quickest)
- subcutaneous
- intracerebral
- intraventricular
- inhalation
- mucous membranes
Half life, what happens if a drugs half life is long?
- amount of time required for the body to eliminate/metabolize half of a drug
- the drug will have a longer lasting effect
The more _____ soluble a drug is, the easier it crosses the _________________.
lipid, blood brain barrier
Substance abuse
pattern of drug use that results in negative effects
Substance dependence
compulsive use of a substance
What are the two types of physiological dependence?
tolerance and withdrawal
Tolerance, what are the 3 types?
decrease in the effects of a drug resulting from repeated use, need more of a substance to get the desired effect
- metabolic
- functional
- cross-tolerance
Withdrawal
physical or psychological problem that results from stopping the use of a drug, effects will usually be the opposite of what the drug does
Conditioned drug tolerance
cues associated with drug-taking become conditioned stimuli that elicit conditioned compensatory responses (ex: going to the same drug house over and over again will increase the tolerance in that environment, but not in others)
What are the theories of addiction?
- physical dependence theory
- positive incentive
Physical-dependence theory
continued use to avoid withdrawal, physically dependent
Positive-incentive theories
use continues due to craving (anticipated pleasure) for drug effects
Opioids, what are some examples?
- derived from the opium poppy, opioids are analgesics
- morphine and heroin
What are the classifications of opioids? What are examples of each?
- Natural = obtained directly from the poppy (morphine and codeine)
- Semisynthetic = combination of opiate and other chemicals (heroin)
- Synthetic = manufactured in the lab (demerol, fentanyl)
What are the mechanisms of opioids?
- pure agonist - binds well to receptors
- partial agonist - doesn’t bind as tightly to receptors
- mixed agonist-antagonist - either binds well or not as well to receptor
- pure antagonist - blocks receptors and reverses affects
What are some long term effects of opioid and depressant use?
- often illegal
- addictive
- tolerance created
- wtihdrawal (flu-like symptoms for heroin only)
- physical and psychological dependence
What two things are used to treat opioids addiction?
- methadone = has similar effect to heroin, but much less severe. Prevents withdrawal symptoms.
- naltrexone = opiate antagonist, reduces the cravings
Depressant, what are some examples?
- acts on the CNS to slow down mental and physical functioning
- alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepine
Alcohol
strongly influences consciousness and the ability to respond effectively to the environment
- low levels can increase alertness
What is an objective way to measure the alcohol content in the body?
blood alcohol content
What receptors does alcohol affect? Alcohol’s action on what receptors cause pleasure?
- enables GABA to bind more tightly to its receptors
- inhibits the NMDA/glutamate receptors
- the action of alcohol on opiate receptors create pleasure
Can severe withdrawal from alcohol be fatal?
yes
Barbiturate, what are its 3 classifications? What neurotransmitter does this act on?
- a sedative-hypnotic drug that is a derivative of barbituric acid, used for sleep
- Ultrashort, short-intermediate, long
- act on GABA
Nonbarbiturate sedative-hypnotic drugs
sedative-hypnotic drug that is not derived from barbituric acid
Benzodiazepine
a widely prescribed subclass of antianxiety drugs (tranquilizers), have an addictive quality
Psychostimulants, what are the four types?
- produces alertness by enhancing the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system and the reticular formation
- amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine
Amphetamine, what is it used to treat, what NT does this cause a release of?
- person experiences greater energy, a decreased need to sleep, reduced appetite, and positive mood
- typically used to treat ADHD and sleep disorders
- increases release of dopamine
Cocaine, what NT does this block?
- alkaloid compound that increases alertness, decreases fatigue, and produces a pleasurable emotional state
- blocks reuptake of dopamine
What is the main alkaloid compound found in opioids? What is the less potent version of this?
- morphine
- codeine
Crack
a potent form of cocaine made by mixing cocaine hydrochloride with ammonia or baking soda and water
Caffeine
found in various plants, increases altertness and decreases fatigue
Nicotine, what receptors does this act on?
Found in the leaves of the tobacco plant that increases altertness and decreases fatigue
- acts on acetylcholine receptors
Amphetamine and cocaine increase what two neurotransmitters? Caffeine? Nicotine?
- norepinephrine and dopamine
- glutamate
- dopamine
What is a danger of psychostimulant abuse? (Hint: psychosis)
stimulant-induced psychosis: paranoia as well as delusions and hallucinations that result from frequent or excessive use of amphetamines and cocaine
Psychedelic drugs, what are some examples?
- profoundly alters a person’s state of consciousness; also called hallucinogens
- LSD, PCP, Ecstasy
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- powerful synthetic psychedelic drug, also known as acid
- causes flashbacks to previous trips
Phencyclidine (PCP)
powerful synthetic psychedelic drug, also known as angel dust
MDMA, why is this drug dangerous?
synthetic psychoactive drug that induces a state of consciousness that facilitates communication, also known as ecstasy
- neurotoxin, can damage serotinin neurons leading to memory deficits and depression
What are some dangers of psychedelic drugs? Is there a withdrawal?
- unpredictability
- tolerance
- no withdrawal
Marijuana
mild hallucinogen obtained from a mixture of crushed leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of the hemp plant
- does have some medicinal effects
What is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana?
THC
What are some of the dangers of marijuana use?
- tolerance
- withdrawal
- vulnerability to the same types of cancers and respiratory problems as smokers
Where are the cells that produce dopamine located?
substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area
What brain areas are involved in addiction?
dopamine areas, all drugs of abuse increase dopamine
