EXAM REVIEW Flashcards
STIMULANTS
a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body, such as caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine. small doses can increase awareness and concentration, but in large doses, can become unsettling and anxiety-inducing
DEPRESSANTS
depressant substances reduce arousal and stimulation. they do not necessarily make a person feel depressed. they affect the central nervous system, slowing down the messages between the brain and the body. Such as Xanax, alcohol, or cannabis. small doses create relaxation, drowsiness and loss of inhibitions. large doses can cause loss of consciousness, respiratory inhibition and even death
ANTIPSYCHOTICS
any of the powerful tranquilizers (as the phenothiazines or butyrophenones) used especially to treat psychosis and believed to act by blocking the dopamine nervous receptors
HALLUCINOGENS
a diverse group of drugs that alter perception, thoughts, and feelings. they cause hallucinations, or sensations and images that seem real, but they are not. such as LSD, MDMA, and KET. can cause auditory, tactile or visual hallucinations
LSD
lysergic acid diethylamide was created in 1938 in switzerland and later studied by the US military. used in the 1950s for alcoholism, depression, and obsessive disorders. become listed as dangerous in the 1960s
MDMA
created in germany in 1912, tested by the US military in the 1950s, used as clinical treatment for emotional disorders in the 197-s, become illegal in 1985. remains popular amongst youth today
EMERGING PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
new substances have been developed to mimic already illegal drugs. but crumvent drug laws. herbal, incense, and not for human consumption labels can get around the laws. because these new substances are highlight available online and always changing it is hard to control for
7 THEMES OF A DRUG WAR
- notion of a public menace
- political interests
- increased criminal justice responses
- influence of media coverage
- portrayal of drug use as infectious
- the need to protect the vulnerable and target groups
- aggressive, militaristic terminology
DRUG RELATED HARM
directly or indirectly affects the health, safety, security, social function, and productivity of all Australian’s
HEALTH HARMS
refers to the increase or risk of: injury, chronic conditions and preventable disease, and mental health in relation to drug use
SOCIAL HARMS
refers to the increase or risk of: violence, crime, trauma, wellbeing, unhealthy childhood development in relation to drug use
ECONOMIC HARMS
refers to the increase or risk of healthcare and law enforcement costs, decreased productivity, marginalisation and disadvantage due to drug use
PHARMACOLOGY
the effect a drug has on someone. this is dependent on the person (e.g., age, gender, individual health), the drug (e.g., how it’s taken, amount used, frequency of use), and social/environmental factors
PHARMACOKINETICS
has to do with absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of a drug or what the body does with the drug
PHARMACODYNAMICS
has to do with the biochemistry, pharmacology, and effects of the drug or what the drug does to the body. Key terms include: dependence, tolerance, withdrawal.
AGONISTIC EFFECT
an increase or stimulation of the action of a neurotransmitter
ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT
decrease or inhibition of the action of a neurotransmitter
HALF-LIFE
time for the drug in the blood system to reduce by 50%. short half-lives are more likely to lead to repeated use, like nicotine
NICOTINE
a stimulant that is dopamine and glutamate agonist, the short time effects and short half life means that it is highly addictive. improves short term memory but has serious long term health effects of smoking
METHAMPHETAMINE
is a pharmaceutical drug that can be used recreationally as a stimulant. significantly alters levels of dopamine and is an extreme agonist. common effects include speeding up body functions, dry mouth, sweating, large pupil, awake, hostility, anxiety, and reduced appetite
ALCOHOL AND BENZODIAZEPINES
these substances are the most commonly used depressants. they act as GABBA agonists to reduce brain activity and glutamine antagonists to reduce the excitatory function. Long term effects of alcohol can be damaging.
CANNABIS
is a depressant, THC is the main ingredient for the psychoactive effects, and binds to the cannabinoid receptors. it interferes with the normal functioning brain impacting the cerebellum, hippocampus, cerebral cortex. long term effects of heavy use can cause health problems, impaired brain function
OPIOIDS
opioids is a depressant for pain relief through endorphins. it affects dopamine rewards effects and acts as pain relief. physical and psychological overdose risk is high. common effects can be feelings of well-being or euphoria, pinpoint eyes sedation, slow breathing or vomiting
NALOXONE
is a drug you inject to avoid an overdose or heroin and other opioid drugs. also known as narcan, it can prevent overdose and the effect lasts 20 mins so you still need to get the person to the hospital
INHALANTS
is a depressant, with immediate effects though psychological hangovers and confusion can last for several days. the long term effects can include health risks
GABBA SYSTEM
brain function for the effects of alcohol on the brain and body. young adults have a higher functioning system which limits the sedative effect of alcohol and minimises hangover
DUAL DIAGNOSIS
more than two health diagnoses.
heterotypic - mental health and physical disorder
homotypic - two mental health disorders
concurrent - alcohol dependence and depression at the same time
successive - panic disorder in teen years learning to cannabis use in later life
it is important to recognise that they are all on a continuum, such as symptoms of a disorder but not having a diagnosis
LEVELS OF INTERVENTION
primary - prevention of uptake: preventing non-users from starting or delaying use. this is a supply reduction method, education on harms, and school bases/parent education
secondary - preventing harm: reducing risks to experimental/social users and avoiding transition into addiction
tertiary - reducing harm: reducing potential harms among regular users
RAT PARK EXPERIMENT
Bruce Alexander puts rats into a park with toys, food, and friends with access to drugs. they will not use the drugs. rats alone in a boring cage will chose to use drugs. rats that have been using drugs in the boring cage will slowly stop using drugs when placed in the rat park