chapter 5: drugs opioids addiction and hallucinogens

Imagine you're at a party where people are drinking alcohol. You notice one person becomes very relaxed and social after a few drinks, while another person becomes agitated and aggressive. Based on the concept of alcohol myopia, how would you explain the difference in their behavior?

Alcohol myopia can cause narrowed attention, leading to simplified responses. In this case, the person who becomes relaxed may focus on positive aspects of the situation, while the person who becomes aggressive might focus on negative triggers, such as stress or frustration, causing a more risky or aggressive behavior.

2. Scenario: Sarah has been feeling anxious about an upcoming exam. She decides to take a benzodiazepine that her doctor prescribed to calm her nerves. After taking it, Sarah feels much more relaxed. Which of the following types of drugs is Sarah using, and how does it influence neurotransmitter activity in her brain?

a) Depressant
b) Stimulant
c) Narcotic
d) Psychoactive agonist

Answer: a) Depressant. Benzodiazepines are classified as depressants and reduce central nervous system activity by increasing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which leads to a calming effect.

3. Scenario: John frequently uses heroin to relieve pain from a chronic injury. Over time, he finds that he needs higher doses to experience the same level of relief. This is an example of which drug-related concept?

a) Tolerance
b) Positive reinforcement
c) Negative reinforcement
d) Antagonistic drug effects

Answer: a) Tolerance. John's need for higher doses of heroin to achieve the same effect is a sign of developing tolerance, which happens when the brain adapts to the drug and requires more of it to produce the same result.

4. Scenario: Emily, who has been dealing with high levels of anxiety, decides to use a substance that helps to alleviate her symptoms. She finds that the more she uses the substance, the less she feels anxious, but she begins to rely on it more frequently. What type of reinforcement is Emily experiencing through her drug use?

Answer: Negative reinforcement. Emily is using the drug to eliminate unpleasant feelings like anxiety, which reinforces her continued use of the drug.

5. Scenario: You are observing a group of friends at a coffee shop, and one person drinks a strong cup of coffee. Almost immediately, they become more energetic, talkative, and alert. What type of psychoactive drug is likely at play here, and what effect does it have on the brain?

Answer: Stimulant. The caffeine in the coffee is a stimulant that excites the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness and energy.

6. Scenario: Tom has recently started using a substance that helps him manage chronic pain. However, he’s also noticed that he feels an intense sense of euphoria when he uses it, which makes him want to use it more. Which category of psychoactive drug does Tom likely use, and how does it interact with the brain?

Answer: Narcotics (Opiates). Narcotics like morphine and heroin are closely related to natural endorphins and are used to relieve pain, but they can also create feelings of euphoria, which contribute to their addictive potential.

Scenario:
Rachel has recently started using a medication that increases her brain's production of serotonin. After taking the medication, she feels much more positive and energetic. What type of effect is this medication likely having on Rachel’s neurotransmitter system?

Answer:
The medication is acting as an agonist, increasing neurotransmitter activity by promoting the production or release of serotonin, leading to the positive and energetic feelings.

Scenario:
Chris uses a drug recreationally at parties because it helps him feel more relaxed and confident in social situations. He notices that each time he uses the drug, he enjoys being around people more and has a great time. What kind of reinforcement is Chris experiencing through his drug use?

Answer:
Chris is experiencing positive reinforcement because the drug use leads to feelings of relaxation and social enjoyment, reinforcing his behavior of using the drug in future social settings.

3.
Scenario:
Lara struggles with severe anxiety, and she takes a drug that helps her calm down whenever she feels nervous. Over time, she begins to use the drug more frequently to prevent the anxiety from returning. What type of reinforcement is Lara experiencing through her drug use?

Answer:
Lara is experiencing negative reinforcement because the drug use removes the unpleasant feeling of anxiety, reinforcing her behavior of using the drug to avoid such feelings.

Scenario:
Jake has been drinking alcohol at a party, and he begins to feel increasingly drowsy and relaxed. He has no trouble speaking but begins to feel a bit uncoordinated. What category of psychoactive drug is alcohol, and how does it affect the central nervous system?

Alcohol is a depressant, which reduces the central nervous system’s activity. This leads to effects like relaxation, drowsiness, and decreased coordination.

Scenario:
At a party, Sophie has had a few drinks and begins to focus only on the immediate pleasure of chatting with friends, ignoring the fact that she has to drive home later. What psychological effect might Sophie be experiencing due to her alcohol consumption?

Sophie is experiencing alcohol myopia, where alcohol narrows her attention and simplifies her responses, leading her to focus on immediate pleasures and overlook the consequences of her actions (like driving).

Scenario:
Emma is prescribed a depressant drug to help with insomnia. After using them, she falls asleep quickly and has a restful night. What type of psychoactive drug is Emma using, and what is its primary purpose?

Emma is using barbiturates, which are depressants that primarily serve as sleeping aids or surgical anesthetics by reducing central nervous system activity.

Scenario:
Mark has been prescribed benzodiazepines to manage his anxiety. After taking them, he feels calmer and less nervous. How do benzodiazepines typically affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain?

Benzodiazepines act as agonists by enhancing the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which results in a calming and anti-anxiety effect on the brain.

Scenario:
Tommy is caught inhaling a substance that is commonly used in household products like glue and nail polish remover. What type of psychoactive drug is Tommy using, and what are the potential dangers of inhalants?

Tommy is using toxic inhalants, which are substances like glue, hairspray, and gasoline. These are dangerous because they can quickly depress the central nervous system, leading to serious health risks like brain damage or even death.

Scenario:
Lisa drinks an energy drink containing caffeine to stay awake and alert during a long study session. After drinking it, she feels more energetic and focused. What type of drug is caffeine, and how does it affect the brain?

Caffeine is a stimulant that excites the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness and energy levels.

Scenario:
After undergoing surgery, Paul is prescribed morphine to help manage his pain. He finds that the drug not only relieves his pain but also makes him feel euphoric and relaxed. What type of drug is morphine, and how does it interact with the brain?

Morphine is a narcotic (opioid) that is closely related to natural endorphins. It interacts with the brain’s pain-relieving systems, both reducing pain and producing feelings of euphoria, which can contribute to its addictive potential.