key question

Question 1

role of heroin in synapse

Answer 1

mimics GABA blockers
provides a dopamine rush
highly addictive as it acts like a painkiller
addicts eventually take it for pain killer instead of euphoric feelings

Question 2

problems heroin causes

Answer 2

sharing needles which can cause potential diseases like AIDs
costs tax payer more money as addicts need to be hospitalised
crime and gang culture increases
ruins lives e.g. if a young person gets addicted to it

Question 3

addiction statistics

Answer 3

293,879 opiate uses in England
29,150 adults recieving drug therapy- still isnt enough people getting treated

Question 4

methadone role

Answer 4

methadone is given to treat heroin addicts

methadone mimics heroins role of GABA blockers mimicing natural opiates, this provides a similar high feeling without the negative side effects

this is as methadone has a structure to block GABA and dopamine neurotransmitters can pass into the brain

Question 5

aim of methadone

Answer 5

withdraw people from crime, combined with other therapy to have a full healthy recovery

Question 6

positives of methadone treatments

Answer 6

-methadone high lasts long, smaller demand on hospitals
-taken in a safe and legal environment
-no needle sharing
-breaks dealer links

Question 7

negative of methadone treatments

Answer 7

-taxpayers money ggoes into letting people get high
-some people combine methadone with heroin
-double expenses to get heroin addicts full recovery, methadone + therapy
-some people can take it home and sell it

Question 8

whats biological key question

Answer 8

is methadone an effective treatment for heroin addiction