Module 2 - Drug misuse and addiction Flashcards
What is SUD?
- social impairements
- risky use
- impaired control
- withdrawal
- tolerance
Addiction
the impaired control associated with SUD manifests as emotional and mental preoccupation with the effects of the drug and by persistent craving for the drug
addiction = a state in which stopping or abruptly reducing the dose of a given drug produces non-physical symptoms
Dopamine hypothesis and addiction
2 components:
- effects on the reward systems: commonly misused drug increases dopamine in the reward system of the brain
- dopamine increase: dopaminergic systems are also responsible for natural rewards
Characteristics of addictive drugs
- increase dopamine
- produce novelty
- reduce anxiety
Drug withdrawal
symptoms are usually the opposite of the effects of the drug
Drug tolerance
drug tolerance is expressed as a shortened duration of action and a decreased magnitude to the effect
tolerance does not develop to all drugs, not to all aspects of a drugs action
drug tolerance is reversible upon drug discontinuation
Cross tolerance
can occur between pharmacologically similar drugs
defined as the resistance or tolerance to one drug because of the resistance to tolerance to a pharmacologically similar drug
* displayed in the dose-response curve
Factors influencing SUD
- genetic factors - can predispose an individual to SUD
- pre-existing disorders - mental illness are at higher risk of SUD
- environmental factors - family dynamics, trauma, social groups
- developmental factors - adolescence and early adulthood
Stigma of SUD
stigmatized = judged by others without knowing anything about the individual
Harm reduction
seeks to reduce/prevent the negative consequences of substance use and improve health without judgment, coercion, or discrimination, and without necessarily requiring the person to stop using the substance
- health harms
- goal is to decrease morbidity and mortality - societal harms
- goal is to decrease lost productivity, apprehension of children, criminal activity
Misuse of substances
misuse = using the drug in ways or amounts other than what was prescribed, or against social norms
Potential for misuse
5 factors:
1. nature of the drug
2. route of administration
3. amount frequency of use
4. availability
5. inherent harmfulness
Amphetamines
controlled substance (restricted for certain medical conditions: narcolepsy)
the amphetamines drug class includes dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine
compounds are:
1. ritalin
2. ecstasy
Amphetamines: CNS effects
- a decreased threshold for transmitting sensory input to the cerebral cortex, leading to CNS excitation → can cause overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, mild confusion, tremor, and in rare instances panic and psychosis, especially with higher doses
- a feeling of euphoria and reward
- temperature-regulated and feeding centre modifications leading to appetite suppression
- an increase in aggressive behaviour and mood swings
Other effects of amphetamines
Short term use:
- chest pain or heart attack
- cardiovascular collapse
- increased respiratory rate
- overdose may result in a seizure, high fever, or stroke
Long term use:
- chronic sleeping problems
- poor appetite
- anxiety, repetitive behaviour, psychoses, aggressive behaviour
- elevated blood pressure and abnormal cardiac rhythm
Concurrent use:
- use of other drugs in an attempt to antagonize various toxic effects of the amphetamines
- example: people who experience sleeping problems may seek out a CNS depressant to help them sleep
- this can lead to additional issues such a drug-drug interactions, misusing of additional drugs, and potentially SUD
Therapeutic use of Amphetamines
- narcolepsy
- chronic sleep disorder
- ADHD
- drug therapy can calm hyperactivity and improve attention and control
Amphetamines potential misuse
- produce powerful euphoria
- water-soluble salt forms of the drug allow for large doses that are readily injectable, resulting in rapid and intense response
- inherent harmfulness of amphetamines is due to their long-term toxicities, including cardiovascular effects and drug-induced psychoses
Amphetamines potential SUD
tolerance: occurs, develops to the euphoria and mood-elevating effects but not to therapeutic effects
withdrawal: occurs, cessation of use results in mood depression that may be profound, prolonged sleep, huge appetite, lack of energy, and fatigue
addiction: occurs, will crave the drugs effects so intensely that if it is not available they will experience panic
Cocaine
CNS stimulant
classified as a narcotic
cocaine has a shorter duration of actions, which is usually less than an hour
cocaine is commonly sniffed or smoked