Drug Abuse and Marijuana

define drug abuse

any drug use that deviates from the approved medical use

define compulsive drug use

the indv feels that the drug is needed for their cont well-being

define addiction

A behavioral pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by an overwhelming involvement with the use of a drug

what two things classify addiction

extreme compulsive use and psychological dependence

what neurotransmitter is very important for the reward pathway of the brain

dopamine

degree of physical dependence is determined by?

severity of withdrawal

what two things is withdrawal intensity related to?

-degree of altered function

-rate at which drug is removed from site of action

define tolerance

more drug needed to elicit the same response

what are the 3 types of tolerance

metabolic (or pharmacokinetic tolerance), sensitization (or reverse tolerance), and pharmacodynamic tolerance

what is metabolic tolerance

less drug getting to site of action

what is pharmacodynamic tolerance

same amt of drug gets to site but response becomes reduced

what is sensitization (reverse tolerance)

intermittent exposure causing progressive increase in sensitivity to drugs

how can drugs have positive reinforcement

induces euphoria

how can drugs have negative reinforcement

drug terminates pain, withdrawal, or anxiety

what are the 3 opioid receptors

mu, kappa, delta (agonist for receptors)

addiction utilizes the _____ pathway while dependence utilizes the ______ pathway

reward; pain

hallucinogens alter what 3 things?

perception, mood, and thought

examples of psychedelics

LSD, psilocin, mescaline

examples of deliriants/dissociatives

PCP, ketamine

psychedelics are hallucinogenics but without ______ ________ and with a reduced _____ ______

metabolic disturbance; delirious state

does tolerance for LSD (psychedelics) develop slowly or rapidly

rapidly

is there any physical dependence for psychedelics like LSD? psychological?

no; no

what receptor do psychedelics work on

5-HT agonist

what receptor do PCP and ketamine (deliriants/dissociatives) work on

noncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptor

examples of psychomotor stimulants

adderall (amphetamine), cocaine, MDMA, ritalin (methylphenidate), methamphetamine

what receptors do amphetamine (adderall) and methamphetamine work on?

competitively inhibits DA reuptake and cause release of DA (causing increased extracell. DA)

uses of amphetamine

ADD, obesity, narcolepsy

adverse rxns of amphetamines

CNS toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, loss of biogenic amine neurons

what receptors does MDMA work on?

reverses the action of the SERT transporter

MDMA acts as a _______ and _______

stimulant; hallucinogen

what receptors does Ritalin (methylphenidate) work on?

inhibit DA reuptake

what receptor does cocaine work on?

block reuptake of biogenic amines (esp dopamine)

what are some drugs used to tx addiction?

methadone, nicotine gum, naltrexone, buprenorphine, etc.

is methadone an agonist or antagonist for mainenance? what does it tx?

mu agonist; opioid dependence

is naltrexone an agonist or antagonist? is is short or long acting?

(opiate) antagonist; long

is buprenorphine an agonist or antagonist? what does it help accomplish?

partial agonist to mu receptor; reduce cravings