Drug Abuse
behavior that all people are capable of and most people have done
-relatively short term event, abuser has the ability to stop
Drug Addiction
disease that requires a genetic disposition
-characterized by the inability to stop on ones own
Most Common Drugs of Abuse
- Tobacco and Alcohol
- Stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine
- Depressants like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines
- Hallucinogens like LSD and Mescaline
- Cannabinoids like marijuana, and hashishi
- Inhalants like nitrous oxide and solvents such as glue, gasoline, and paint thinner
Most Common Drugs of Addiction
- Tobacco and Alcohol
- Stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine
- Depressants like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines
- Hallucinogens like LSD and Mescaline
- Cannabinoids like marijuana, and hashishi
- Inhalants like nitrous oxide and solvents such as glue, gasoline, and paint thinner
What are some of the properties of opioids that distinguish this group of abused drugs from other narcotics and controlled substances, and what are their benefits?
- They are a legitimate part of medical therapy
- Examples include: use for surgery and cancer pain management, cough suppressant, and side effect of constipation can be used in treating diarrhea
What are some of the harmful effects of opioids?
- Highly addictive
- tolerance develops rapidly within the body
- higher doses lead to more side effects
- patients may suffer from withdrawal symptoms during discontinuation
Discuss the physiologic effects of Antabuse and describe its role in treating alcoholism
- prevents the elimination of acetaldehyde (chemical causeing symptoms of a hangover)
- discouraging alcoholics from drinking due to discomfort
Describe the use of naltrexone
- opioid antagonist
- reduces the craving for alcohol and opioids for recovering addicts
- in the case of opium naltrexone blocks the normal reaction of pleasure in the brain when opioids are taken
Describe the process of drug therapy for opioid overdose
- IV administration of nalaxone (Narcan) which is a short acting pure μ receptor antagonist
- the opioid antagonists bind to the μ receptors keeping the receptor agonists from binding reversing the sedative effects
Describe the detoxification (withdrawal) process of opioid addiction
- withdrawal symptoms include:strong feelings of dis-ease, night sweats, insomnia, agitation, headache, high blood pressure, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and irritability
- can take months for body to reestablish normal endogenous opioid production
- methadone can be used to slowly taper the patient over a few weeks
- naltrexone (pure μ receptor antagonist with long circulation half life) can be used by recovering addicts
- naltrexone prevents euphoria from the drug
Pure μ Receptor Agonist Employed for Harm Reduction
- methadone is a pure μ receptor agonist taken orally once a day
- Methadone suppresses narcotic withdrawal for 24-36 hours
- used in detoxification treatments
