substance abuse pharmacology Flashcards
substance misuse
consumption of a substance for purposes different from what is medically recommended
substance abuse
maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinical impairment or distress, characterized by at least one of:
- failure to fulfill major role obligations
- recurrent use in situations which it is physically hazardous
- substance-related legal problems
- use despite problems caused or exacerbated by the substance
substance dependence
maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinical impairment or distress, characterized by at least three of:
- tolerance
- compulsive use
- impaired control/relapse
- craving
- socio-occupational dysfunction
- persistent use despite psychophysical harm
- withdrawal
addiction
psychological compulsion towards a substance
environmental factors contributing to abuse/dependence
- low socioeconomic status
- early physical or sexual abuse
- social deprivation
- witnessing violence
- peer pressure
- cultural norms
- drug availability
individual factors contributing to abuse/dependence
- genetics
- poor impulse control
- anxiety and depression
- other neuropsychiatric comorbidities
3 ways comorbid conditions can be tied to substance abuse
- self medication with the substance to relieve syptoms of the mental illness
- causal effects of substance use may increase mental illness
- risk factors for mental illness and substance abuse may overlap
how to diagnose comorbid mental disorders with substance abuse
patient must be abstinent for 2-3 weeks before mental disorder symptoms can be evaluated
role of ventral tegmental area
release dopamine at amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens
amygdala governs
avoidance and fear
prefrontal cortex governs
decision making and behavioral control
nucleus accumbens governs
reward and salience
the response to environmental stimuli is ultimately governed by
dopaminergic systems
how does habit formation occur
natural stimuli needed for the survival of the organism and species are coupled with rewarding responses which when repeatedly activated lead to repetition of behavior
what system is involved in habit formation
dopaminergic mesolimibic system
the perception of natural reward comes from
phasic release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens
-tolerance can develop
role of the amygdala
processing of fear and information related to danger and other emotional responses
cravings originated from what part of the brain
amygdala
drug seeking behavior is driven by
nucleus accumbens
hypofunction of prefrontal cortex facilitates rewarding response by
- poor impulse control and problems in decision making
- facilitating activation of amygdala and nucleus accumbens
tolerance
time dependent reduction in responsiveness to the same dose of a substance
release of corticotrophin releasing hormone/factor causes
- activation of stress response
- increase of heart rate and blood pressure
- activation of amygdala and cravings
2 types of triggers for cravings
- cues linked to specific locations/times controlled by hippocampus
- stress triggers release of CRF and norepinephrine leading to amygdala activation
how long must a person be off a substance to reduce risk of relapse
about 7 years
stages of dependence
- binge/intoxication
- withdrawal/negative effects
- preoccupation (no money, arrest, overdose)
- abstinence/treatment
- relapse
non-specific mechanisms of action of ethanol
- enhances membrane fluidity
- inhibits numerous proteins and enzymes
specific mechanisms of action of ethanol
- enhances GABA-A receptor function
- inhibits NMDA receptors
- activates 5-HT3 receptors (stimulates vomiting)
- may inhibit GABA-B receptors
who is at greatest risk of alcoholism
anxious and depressed patients
absorption of ethanol
rapidly absorbed from small intestine and colon
- maximal blood concentration in 30-90 minutes
- absorbed through lungs and skin
distribution of ethanol
- distributed uniformly in tissues and body fluids
- readily crosses placenta and BBB
metabolism of ethanol
mostly done by alcohol dehydrogenase which converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is where the headache, hypotension, and N/V come from
acetaldehyde is metabolized by aldehyde dehydrogenase
elimination of ethanol is not
concentration dependent and is thus zero order
alcohol concentration associated with respiratory depression and death
> 400 mg/dl
treatment of acute alcohol intoxication
- gastric lavage
- endotracheal intubation
- rebalance of electrolytes
- infusion of thiamine THEN glucose (to avoid making acidosis worse)
neuropsychiatric effects of chronic alcohol consumption
Wernike’s encephalopathy and korsakoff syndrome
GI effects of chronic alcohol
- anemia
- esophageal cancer
- vitamin and protein deficiency
- cirrhosis
- acute pancreatitis
symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- motor agitation
- anxiety
- insomnia
- reduction of seizure threshold
- delirium tremens (delirium, agitation)
treatment options for seizures in alcohol withdrawal
long acting benzos like chlordizepoxide and diazepam