psych of drugs week 5

Depressants

→ Substances that slow or suppress central nervous system activity.

• ex; Alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines.

Stimulants

Substances that increase central nervous system activity, often increasing alertness, energy, and focus.

• ex; Cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy.

Hallucinogens

Substances that alter perception and can change the experience of reality.

• ex: Psilocybin and LSD.

Opioids/narcotics

Drugs acting on opioid receptors that can relieve pain and produce euphoria.

• ex: Heroin, codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone.

Inhalants

Substances whose vapors are inhaled and enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

• ex: Paint, glue, paint thinner, gasoline, and markers.

Cannabis

A drug acting on cannabinoid receptors that can produce relaxation and euphoria.

NPS

New psychoactive substances designed to produce psychoactive effects and may cause sedation, hallucinations, or dreamlike states.

Narcotics

A broad term historically used for drugs that can produce sleepiness, numbness, and pain relief; opioids are commonly included.

Opiates

Naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy.

• ex: Morphine, codeine, and opium.

Opioids

A broader category including natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs acting on opioid receptors.

• ex: Oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, fentanyl, tramadol, and heroin.

Opiates vs. opioids

Opiates are naturally occurring; opioids include natural and lab-produced substances.

→ Narcotics → opioids → opiates.

Opioid intoxication

The state produced by opioid use, characterized by effects such as drowsiness and impaired functioning.

• intoxication symptoms: Constricted pupils, drowsiness, slurred speech, and impaired attention/memory.

• withdrawal: symptoms occurring after reducing or stopping opioid use following physical dependence. Dysphoric mood, nausea/vomiting, muscle aches, tearing, dilated pupils, sweating, fever, diarrhea, and insomnia.

• intoxication vs. withdrawal:Intoxication includes sedation and constricted pupils; withdrawal generally involves physical distress, agitation, and dilated pupils.

History of Opioids

1856 → Hypodermic syringe introduced in the United States.

1870s → Hypodermic syringes became widely used to deliver morphine.

Why was morphine widely used? → It was viewed as capable of relieving many forms of pain and was used medically, including for soldiers during the Civil War.

Late 1800s opioid use → Opioids were used to treat conditions such as menstrual cramps and morning sickness.

Opium addiction and women → Your notes state that more than 60% of those addicted to opium were women.

1870s–1880s → Medical journals increasingly warned about morphine addiction.

1870s–1910s → Opium smoking became popular, particularly among Chinese immigrants.

1909 → A law banned opium imports; possession could result in punishment and the price increased dramatically.

Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 → Federal law intended to restrict the distribution/prescribing of narcotics.

1919 → The nation opened narcotic clinics.

1921 → Almost all narcotic clinics were closed by the Narcotic Division.

1986 → WHO declared that pain was being undertreated.

1990 → Scientists questioned why opioids were largely reserved for cancer pain.

1995 → American Pain Society promoted pain as the “fifth vital sign.”

“Pain as the fifth vital sign”

The movement encouraged standardized evaluation and treatment of pain and emphasized adequate pain control.

Tier 1 recommendation for opioid epidemics

Public education about dangers of illicit drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, along with continuing education for physicians.

Tier 2 recommendation for opioid epidemics

Improve access to non-opioid pain treatments by reducing or eliminating copays.

Tier 3 recommendation for opioid epidemics

Make buprenorphine available for chronic pain according to your course material.

E-cigarette

A nicotine-delivery system that heats an e-liquid to create an aerosol.

• entered U.S. in 2007

• 99% of them contain nicotine

• contains Power source, tank/cartridge, and heating element.

E-liquid

→ Liquid containing substances such as nicotine, flavoring, and a carrier solvent.

PG → Propylene glycol, one of the carrier liquids used in e-cigarette aerosol.

VG → Vegetable glycerin, another carrier liquid used in e-cigarette aerosol. A thick liquid derived from plant fats that creates dense vapor clouds.

Why is “water vapor” inaccurate for e-cigarettes? → E-cigarettes produce an aerosol containing substances such as PG/VG and potentially nicotine; it is not simply water vapor.

Problem with e-cigarette labeling

Some products have contained ingredients or nicotine levels that did not match their labels.

• Nicotine-label discrepancy: 89% discrepancy between labeled and actual nicotine content.

• Teen misconception about vaping → Many teens reported believing they were vaping only flavoring.

Major consequences of nicotine

Addiction, health consequences, mood changes, and accidental injuries.

Nicotine strongly activates reward pathways and produces dopamine release, causing the brain to adapt to repeated exposure.

Why Do Teens Start Vaping?

Targeted marketing → Marketing can make vaping appealing to younger audiences through branding, flavors, and social imagery.

Accessibility → Vaping products may be easier for teens to obtain than some other substances.

Adolescent brain sensitivity → Developing adolescent brains can be particularly sensitive to the reinforcing effects of addictive substances.

Nicotine and dopamine

Nicotine causes a large release of dopamine, contributing to its rewarding effects.

• The brain adapts by reducing dopamine receptor activity/availability.

•  The brain adapts to repeated nicotine exposure, making nicotine feel necessary to maintain its adjusted state and avoid withdrawal.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms

Hunger, constipation, sweating, itching, sleep problems, and irritability.

• Repeated nicotine use can alter reward and mood systems, contributing to withdrawal-related negative feelings.

Three forms of cocaine

Cocaine powder, freebase cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Cocaine powder

Fine white powder that is a water-soluble salt; can be snorted, taken orally, or dissolved and injected.

• Heating the salt form causes it to lose effectiveness so it cant be smoked

Freebase cocaine

A form of cocaine made by converting the salt into a smokable alkaloid form.

• It can be smoked.

Crack cocaine

A smokable form of cocaine made using cocaine, baking soda, and water.

• The substance can make a cracking sound when heated.

Cocaine vs. crack

Both contain cocaine, but crack is a smokable form; route of administration changes how quickly effects occur.

Cocaine intoxication

A state following cocaine use involving increased physiological and psychological activation.

• symptoms → Tachycardia, dilated pupils, sweating/chills, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, psychomotor agitation/retardation, and muscular weakness.

• Tachycardia → Abnormally rapid heart rate.

  Pupillary dilation → Enlargement of the pupils.

  Psychomotor agitation → Excessive or restless physical activity.

  Psychomotor retardation → Slowed physical and mental movement.

Cocaine withdrawal

Symptoms occurring after stopping or reducing cocaine use.

• symptoms → Fatigue, vivid unpleasant dreams, insomnia, hypersomnia, increased appetite, and psychomotor agitation/retardation.

Cocaine intoxication vs. withdrawal

Intoxication tends to involve stimulation/activation, while withdrawal often involves fatigue, sleep changes, increased appetite, and unpleasant mood-related symptoms.