Other Flashcards
Define the Addiction Cycle stages (5)
social drug taking which induces a hedonic, pleasureable effect
positive reinforcement
drug taking compulsive pattern with escalating compulsive use and then dependence
negative withdrawal states trigger craving
transition from positive reinforcement to negative reinforcement in dependent people, relapse very likely
Where are illicit drugs marketed (2)
manufactured legitimately in middle income countries with weak drug laws or poor enforcement
manufactured in clandestine underground labs
Phases of substance abuse (5)
intoxication/overdose
withdrawal/detoxification
abstinence initiation/use reduction
relapse prevention
sequelae - psychosis/agitation
Pharmacological Treatment Strategies (4)
agonist/partial agonist - replacement/substitution
antagonist - blockade
aversive - negative reinforcement
correction of underlying/associated disorders eg depression
Name the drugs with no pharmacological treatment and name what treatment is used instead for all (6)
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Hallucinogenics
Cannabis
Solvents/Inhalants
CBT therapy
Social deficit is known to be a key characteristic in addiction. Name co-conditions and two studies that support this. (7)
schizophrenia
autism
PTSD
depression
anxiety
in women with depression who inject drugs, social support prevents non fatal overdose - Paybala et Al 2013
in women with depression who inject drugs, social support decreases substance abuse - Nargiso et Al 2014
What are the effects and uses of oxytocin (2)
used as a treatment for anxiety
antagonises V1 receptors (ADH) that increase stres and increase chance of relapse
Name two other unexplored novel methods for drug addiction (2)
blocking drug memory reconsolidation
vaccines - make a cocaine-bacteria complex and then provide antibodies
What biological samples can be taken in order to detect drugs? (5)
blood
breath
urine
saliva
hair
Uses, Pros and Cons of immunoassays (3)
ketamine, cocaine, THC, methamphetamine, BZDs
simple, rapid, visual interpretation, on site detection
questions around sensitivity and detection times
Uses, and how to use urine test strips (3)
used for cannabis, opiates, methamphetamines, methadrone, cocains, BZDs and amphetamines
15 second absorption, lay test on clean surface and let lines develop
negative results are immediate, positive results take at least 5 minutes
Pros and cons of GC-MS (5)
Lab test - con
reliable - pro
sensitive - pro
screening of multiple substances - pro
quantitative - pro
Pros and cons of IR Spectroscopy (6)
specific unamibgious identification - pro
reliable - pro
rapid - pro
portable - pro
extensive drug library is required - containing legal highs, pharmecuetical and common compounds - con
Methods of keeping up with makers and users of designer drugs (9)
designer drugs are often modified versions of existing drugs
failed pharmaceuticals or research compounds
internet and detective work
amnesty bins from clubs and festivals are searched for unopened packages to be tested
police and border agency test on substances found in arrests and seizures
hospital admissions
questionnaires - test for brand names only
in any sewage or pooled urine with no female samples, can be tested for new drugs also.
Name the two most important drug laws (2)
Misuse of Drugs Act in 1971
UN General Assembly for Special Sessions on Drugs
Mechanism and cons of voltammetry (3)
small carbon fibre electrodes are inserted directly into the brain
electrode oxidises NT and transfer of electrons is measured as a small current
currently limited to a few comopounds - DA, nA, 5-ht and NO
Mechanism of large organ baths (4)
used only for large vessels
segments are mounted as a ring preparation on two fixed steel hooks
kept in a chamber with physiological salt solution, 37 degrees oxygen and Krebs
isometric tension recording is performed
How are brain slices kept alive? (1)
with heated oxygenated artificial CSF
What are all methods of testing effects of drugs of abuse? (9)
Voltammetry
Large Organ Baths
self-administration
oral and IV dosage
microdialysis
animal models
brain slices
receptor binding studies
western BLOT
Measurements of Cellular Function (5)
mRNA and protein expression
cell proliferationn and migration
release of diffusible factors
short term vs long term changes
reversible vs permanent changes
What are the methods of studying drugs of abuse in vivo and what are the cons (5)
examine mechanisms in detail and screen for specific receptor activity
compare function in control subjects vs addicts (animal models, pharmacological profiles and toxicology)
difficult to study long term
some limited info on metabolism is provided
some limited info on afferent and efferent connections
What are the reasons people provide for taking designer drugs (3)
New experience
avoid law
avoid drug testing
Misuse of Drugs Act (2)
1971
created the classes A-C
Psychoactive Substances Act (4)
2016
integrates legal highs
restricts production, sale and supply of legal highs
excludes alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and food
What feature of a drug is legalisation based upon and why? (2)
receptor pharmacology
least variable option as opposed receptor interaction, versions of old drugs and chemical receptors
Definition of a Psychoactive substance (2)
a substance that that stimulates/depresses CNS or effects emotional or mental state
must be proven pharmacologically in in vivo tests
What are the benefits of the PSA (3)
government looks less powerless
legal highs are much harder to study and become very expensive
classification prevents research from being sidetracked as legal highs can be grouped into previously studied substances
Which molecules are difficult to classify and why? (8)
Mephedrone - acts on the same receptors as MDMA but with much worse receptor interaction. Leads to addiction, tachycardia, hyponatraemia and hypertension
Synthetic cannabis - primarily analgesic as it has different receptor interactions that mean behavioural effects require a lower dose. Has lead to 4 deaths and long-term psych)
2-C series have the same structure except an iodine/bromine switch has been known to cause delirium
Modafinil as its legal to possess but illegal to import, nootropic in the PSA but has positively documented behavioural effects
What are the effects of health and social care of drugs of abuse? (2)
increases impact of mental health services, A&E and end of life services
increases burden on NHS, social care, local authorities or substance misuse commissions
Which drugs effect the CNS? (6)
alcohol
cocaine
MDMA
solvents
glues
ketamine
Which drugs affect the liver? (2)
alcohol
ecstasy
Which drugs are neurotoxic? (2)
amphetamines
ecstasy
Which drugs are linked with dementia and depression? (1)
alcohol
Which drugs are linked with psychosis and anxiety? (3)
opioids, PCP and amphetamines
Which drugs can cause memory loss? (1)
cannabis
Which drugs have anorectic effects (2)
cocaine
amphetamines
What is NPSAD and what are its functions? (5)
National Programme of Substance Abuse Disorders
surveillance system on drug deaths - coroners of England, forensic toxicologists, pathologists, general mortality registers
analysis of drug mortality and substances involved, date of birth, date of death, address of residence, address of death, health history, drug history, prescription history, post mortem results, toxicology, cause of death, coroners verdict
act as an early warning system
indicator of prevalence
MPA (5)
Methiopropramine
42 cases of MPA post mortem
always combined with other drugs
1/2 known drug abusers and a 1/3 had mental health issues
90% male, mean 36 years 15-56 years
Ethylphenidate (4)
28 cases post mortem
combined in 26 cases
1/2 known drug users and a 1/4 had mental health issues
2/3 male, mean 31, 18-58 years
What are the different laws on possession based upon the PSA, TCDO and MoDA? (3)
PSA - cannot punish for possession and proof of psychoactivity is required
TCDO - cant punish for personal possession and no need to prove its psychoactive
MoDA - can punish for personal possession and no need to prove its psychoactive
What is the TCDO (1)
Temporary Class Drug Order
