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Processing the Environment > Psychoactive Drugs > Flashcards

Psychoactive Drugs Flashcards

1
Q

What are “psychoactive drugs”

A

any drugs that alter consciousness

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2
Q

What are the 4 categories of psychoactive drugs?

A
  1. stimulants
  2. depressants
  3. hallucinogens
  4. opiates
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3
Q

What is main main effect of depressants?

A

to depress the CNS functions, ie level of arousal or stimulation in certain areas of our brain

*decreased respiration, decreased HR/BP, decreased processing speed

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4
Q

Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines and Alcohol fall under what category of psychoactive drugs?

A

Depressants

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5
Q

What is the main effect of stumulants?

A

to stimulate the CNS functions, ie level of arousal in certain parts of our brain

*increased respiration, increased HR/BP, increased alertness

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6
Q

Caffeine, Cocaine, Amphetamines and Nicotine fall under what category of psychoactive drugs?

A

Stimulants

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7
Q

True or False: drinking coffee after consuming alcohol will sober you up

A

False - stimulants and depressants don’t work on the same neurochemical level

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8
Q

What are also referred to as “psychedelics?”

A

Hallucinogens

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9
Q

What is the main effect of hallucinogens?

A

to cause individuals to experience distorted perceptions (ie auditory/visual hallucinations, heightened sensations, rapid mood swings, rapid energy changes)

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10
Q

What is the distinction between opiates and opioids?

A

opiates is generally used to described natural varieties while opioids are synthetic versions

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11
Q

What is the main effect of opiates?

A

similar to depressants, although they work on a different neurochemical level; have an analgesic effect, highly addictive

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12
Q

Specifically, how does alcohol affect sleep cycles?

A

it disrupts REM sleep, which interferes with the ability to form memories and new synapses

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13
Q

What is an outdated term for barbiturates?

A

tranquilizers

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14
Q

What are barbiturates commonly prescribed for?

A

to aid in sleep disturbances or increased anxiety

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15
Q

Benzodiazepines, like most depressants, enhance the brain’s response to what neurotransmitter?

A

GABA

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16
Q

How does GABA function?

A

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that works by blocking impulses between cells; there is in increase in opening of Chloride channels, causing in influx of negative chloride ions (ie hyperpolarization_ which induces a calming/mellowing effect)

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17
Q

What are the 3 types of benzos?

A
  1. short acting
  2. intermediate acting
  3. long acting
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18
Q

Which types of benzos are prescribed as a sleep aid?

A

short acting & intermediate acting

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19
Q

Which type of benzos are prescribed for anxiety?

A

long acting

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20
Q

What does the “acting” of a benzo refer to?

A

how quickly the drug binds to the brain and how quickly it is metabolized by the body

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21
Q

What is an example of a short acting benzo?

A

Alprazolam

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22
Q

What is an example of an intermediate acting benzo?

A

Lorazepam

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23
Q

What is an example of a long acting benzo?

A

Clonazepam

24
Q

Why are opiates used as an analgesic?

A

because they act at the body’s receptor sites for endorphins

25
Q

What is a distinction between the functions/effects of depressant use vs opiate use?

A

depressants work at GABA receptors while opiates work at endorphin receptors

26
Q

How does cocaine create the intense “high?”

A

it prevents the brain from re-uptaking dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine

27
Q

Why do some people overdose on a drug when taking it in a new or different location?

A

your body doesn’t have time to preadjust, and their body is not as prepared

28
Q

What are the 3 main routes of drug entry?

A
  1. oral
  2. injection
  3. inhalation
29
Q

What is the slowest method of drug entry and why?

A

the oral route, because the ingested substance has to move through your GI tract in order to be absorbed by the bloodstream

30
Q

Approximately how long does oral absorption of a drug take?

A

~ 30 minutes

31
Q

Approximately how long does it take for inhaled (ie snorted/smoked) drugs to reach your brain?

A

~ 10 seconds

32
Q

What is the most rapid method of drug entry?

A

Injection, occurs in a couple of seconds

potential danger of introducing bacteria or other unexpected toxins

33
Q

What are 2 less common methods of drug entry?

A
  1. transdermal

2. intramuscular

34
Q

What is the process of transdermal drug entry?

A

drugs are absorbed through the skin via a patch

-drug must be potent and is absorbed over several hours

35
Q

What is the process of intramuscular drug entry?

A

the drug is injected directly into the muscle tissue

  • can be quick, like an epi-pen
  • can be gradual
36
Q

When you first experience pleasure, your brain releases what neurotransmitter and from where?

A

Dopamine is produced and released from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that is found in the midbrain

37
Q

Where does the VTA send dopamine?

A
  • amygdala
  • nucleus accumbens
  • prefrontal cortex
  • hippocampus
38
Q

What is the “mesolimbic pathway?”

A

this is the reward circuit/pathway of the brain

39
Q

What structures comprise the mesolimbic pathway?

A
  • amygdala
  • nucleus accumbens
  • hippocampus
40
Q

What is the relationship between dopamine and serotonin?

A

when 1 of them increases, the other will decrease

41
Q

What are the main functions of serotonin?

A

serotonin regulates mood, sleep, appetite, digestion, sexual desire

42
Q

Behaviorally, what does “tolerance” mean?

A

you get accustomed to a level of a drug and now need more of it to achieve the same effect

43
Q

What is the physiological response of tolerance in the brain?

A

decreased receptor channel coupling - essentially, receptors that bind to the dopamine molecules shut down/close off, so that you no longer get the same “high”

44
Q

What is “withdrawal?”

A

your body has come to rely on a drug and its effects, and when that is not available, the body will violently react

45
Q

What are some Sx of withdrawal?

A
  • depression
  • highly anxious
  • sweat/headaches
  • nausea/vomiting
46
Q

What is the term for the effects of a substance after it has ENTERED the body?

A

“intoxication”

-both behavioral and psychological effects

47
Q

What is the term for the after-effects of a substance once it has EXITED the body?

A

withdrawal

48
Q

What is “psychosis?”

A

a loss of contact with reality

49
Q

What is the indicator that an individual has a substance abuse disorder?

A

their use impairs an aspect of their life (ie home, work, school)

50
Q

What is the initial period of separating the addict from their drug?

A

“detoxification” - flush the toxins from the body

51
Q

What is the function of Methadone?

A

it is an opiate agonist - it activates the same receptors, but at a much slower pace; this dampens the high and reduces withdrawal Sx

52
Q

How do medications replace the effects of Nicotine?

A
  1. deliver low levels of Nictone OR
  2. deliver chemicals that act on Nicotine receptors in the brain; the specific medication either prevents the release or the reuptake of Dopamine, which reduces cravings
53
Q

How do medications replace the effects of alcohol?

A

block receptors involved in cravings

54
Q

Recognizing problematic thought patterns/behaviors, anticipating problematic/triggering situations is indicative of what type of therapy?

A

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

55
Q

What is “motivational interviewing?”

A

involves working with the patient to find intrinsic motivation to change

  • goal directed
  • involves few sessions, encourages patient to engage in additional therapies like larger group meetings
56
Q

What are the 3 main categories of 12 step programs?

A
  1. Acceptance
  2. Surrender
  3. Active involvement (meetings/activities)

Processing the Environment (9 decks)

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