Pharmacology - Chapter 38 - Drug Abuse - Alcohol

Question 1

Alcohol - most commonly used and abused drug in the US. T/F?

Answer 1

True!

Question 2

Alcohol abuse - defined as…

Answer 2

the continued use of alcohol despite the development of social, legal, or health problems.

Question 3

Alcoholism - def

Answer 3

chronic disease involving a strong need to drink, the inability to stop drinking, the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance. It is progressive.

Question 4

Alcohol is a CNS ____.

Answer 4

Depressant.

Question 5

Alcohol - enhances ____.

Answer 5

GABA.

Question 6

Alcohol and the brain - it is a ___ pathway.

Answer 6

Reward.

Question 7

The reward pathway consists of a network of ___ found in the ___ of the brain. When activated by a positive experience, a group of neurons near the top of the brainstem, called the ___ ____ ____ release the neurotransmitter dopamine. This message is relayed to a structure called the __ ____ (part of the emotional limbic system) and to a related part of the ____ ___, resulting in a pleasurable sensation.

Answer 7

neurons/middle of the brain/ventral tegumental area/nucleus accumbens/prefrontal cortex.

Question 8

Alcohol interacts with ___ found in the cell membranes.

Answer 8

Proteins.

Question 9

The loss of coordination with alcohol intoxication may result from effects of alcohol on a portion of the brain called the ___.

Answer 9

cerebellum.

Question 10

Alcohol-induced memory lapses may result from impairment of the ______.

Answer 10

Hippocampus.

Question 11

Mesolimbic Dopamine System - the perception of ___ is thought to result from activity within this system.

Answer 11

Pleasure.

Question 12

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy - def

Answer 12

Confusion and abnormal movements, brought on by thiamine deficiency (vitamine B1) - it is also IRREVERSIBLE.

Question 13

BAC - Above .40 = ___.

Answer 13

Medulla effects.

Question 14

Alcohol - low levels may protect heart by raising HDL levels. T/F?

Answer 14

True!

Question 15

Alcohol - Liver - causes ___ liver.

Answer 15

Fatty liver.

Question 16

Alcohol - GI - increases secretion of __ ___ and destroys GI ___.

Answer 16

Gastric acid/mucosa.

Question 17

Alcohol - is not a kidney diuretic. T/F?

Answer 17

False - it is!

Question 18

Alcohol - can cause pancreatitis. T/F?

Answer 18

True!

Question 19

Alcohol - can cause sexual dysfunction - T/F?

Answer 19

True! - Makes you horny but your performance suffers.

Question 20

Who should avoid alcohol use?

Answer 20

Pregnant women, people who plan to drive, people taking anti-histamines, etc.

Question 21

Alcohol - stomach absorbs ____ % and the small intestine absorbs ___ percent.

Answer 21

20/80.

Question 22

What are some drugs given for alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 22

Benzos - Lorazepam
Alpha Adrenergic - Clonidine
Beta Blockers - atenolol
Anti-epileptic Agents - tegretol.

Question 23

Alcohol Withdrawal - Drugs/Use - Benzos

Answer 23

Decrease withdrawal symptoms, stabilize vital signs, prevent seizures and delirium tremens.

Question 24

Alcohol Withdrawal - Drugs/Use - Beta-Adrenergic Blockers -

Answer 24

Improve vital signs, decrease craving.

Question 25

Alcohol Withdrawal - Drugs/Use - Alpha Adrenergic Blocker -

Answer 25

Decreases withdrawal symptoms.

Question 26

Alcohol Withdrawal - Drugs/Use - Anti-epileptic Drug

Answer 26

Decreases withdrawal symptoms; prevents seizures.

Question 27

Antabuse (Disfuliram) - what does it do?

Answer 27

It inhibits alcohol metabolism.

Question 28

Naltrexone (Revia) - what is it and what does it do?

Answer 28

It is a pure opioid antagonist - it decreases the craving for alcohol.