Lecture 12: Addiction And Dependence

Question 1

Is dependence or addiction mental or physical?

Answer 1

Dependence = physical 
Addiction = mental

Question 2

Which method of administrating a drug has the fastest effect, injecting, smoking or snorting?

Answer 2

Injecting.

Question 3

What type of drugs could counteract the psychological effect of positive conditioning when taking recreational drugs?

Answer 3

Antagonists should reduce the reward from positive conditioning.

Question 4

The NMDA receptor requires function of which other receptor in order to work normally?

Answer 4

The AMPA receptor. This is what is affected in cocaine use.

Question 5

Why is alcohol a “dirty” drug?

Answer 5

Not specific, binds to 5-HT, GABA and NMDA.

Question 6

What is it about aldehyde dehydrogenase that means if you drink too much you can’t cope?

Answer 6

It is a saturable enzyme.

Question 7

Why is the morning cigarette the best?

Answer 7

Because nicotine has rapid tolerance and rapid recovery. So all the receptors are reset and sensitive after the long break sleeping but each one after that throughout the day is not as good as tolerance builds up.

Question 8

There is a burst in what when you come off the drugs? And what is this thought to be linked to?

Answer 8

Burst in cAMP and this is thought to be linked to withdrawal symptoms.