introduction to drugs of abuse

Question 1

pharmacological groups

Answer 1

• CNS stimulants
• Narcotic analgesics
• Hallucinogens
• Psychotomimetic
• Hypnotics

Question 2

what are most ‘old’ drugs derived from (cannabis, heroin, cocaine)

Answer 2

plants

Question 3

‘new’ drugs are..

Answer 3

synthetic analogues or other new synthetic classes of drugs (MDMA, synthetic cannabinoids (spice))

Question 4

why do people take drugs

Answer 4

• To feel good and to have novel: feelings, sensations, experiences and to share them
• To feel better and to lessen: anxiety, worries, fears, depression, hoplessness

Question 5

why have people used drugs

Answer 5

• Peyote – for religious/spiritual purposes
• Coca leaf and khat – enhance endurance
• Opium – for healing and spiritual purposes
(maybe also for assassins)
• Coffee – to stay awake during rituals
• Tea – for medicinal purposes

Question 6

what is addiction

Answer 6

• Characterised by compulsive behaviour
• The continued abuse of drugs despite negative consequences
• A chronic, potentially relapsing disorder

Question 7

history of drug abuse

Answer 7

• Defined by the wishes of society and that has changed markedly with time
• Many drugs currently deemed illegal today were, until relatively recently, freely available
• Particularly stimulants and hallucinogens
• As these “acceptable” uses increased, people became concerned about the ill effects of constituents such as morphine, cocaine and amphetamine
• Products being withdrawn from sale or the constituents in question being removed
• Coca extracts were removed from Coca Cola in 1904