drugs of abuse

Question 1

Drug of misuse, drug of abuse, and psychotropic definitions

Answer 1

drugs of misuse are medicinal drugs that have potential for abuse

Drugs of abuse are drugs that have no medicinal uses, but are abused, e.g., alc

Psychotropic drugs alter perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour

Question 2

Nicotine mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 2

nAChR agonist, increases peripheral adrenaline, and increases CNS neurotransmission.

Acute hyper stimulation, mental alertness

long term sedation, and tolerance

Withdrawal includes cravings, anxiety/depression, insomnia, restlessness, weight gain

Question 3

Cocaine mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 3

DAT inhibitor.

Acute hyper stimulation, mental alertness, vasoconstriction, pupil dilation, temp increase, HR and BP increase.

Cardiovascular toxicity in longterm use, + tolerance and addiction.

withdrawal causes dysphoria, depression, cravings, anxiety, pain

Question 4

Opioids mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 4

opioid receptor agonist

Acute euphoria, itching, nausea, pupil constriction, slowed breathing + HR + respiratory depression

Long term can cause opioid induced hyperalgesia, hormonal imbalances, and tolerance/addiction

Withdrawal causes insomnia, nausea, depression, cravings, anxiety

Question 5

Cannabis mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 5

CB1 receptor agonist -> psychoactivity.

Acute analgesia, hypothermia, hyper locomotion, increased HR, red eyes, munchies, mild hallucinations

long term tolerance, panic attacks, depression, mania, schizophrenia.

Withdrawal mild: irritability, reduced appetite, vomiting, sleep disturbance.

Question 6

Alcohol mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 6

Multiple pharmacological targets, main one is PAM of GABAA

Acute euphoria, CNS depression, dehydration (mediated by inhibiting vasopressin).

Long term causes neuropathies, myopathies, hepatotoxicity, malnutrition, high visceral fat, higher mental health issues, addiction/tolerance

withdrawal can cause seizures, coma, death, milder causes tremors, depression anxiety.

Question 7

MDMA mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 7

SERT inhibitor, VMAT2 inhibitor. Increases neurotransmission.

Euphoria, increased empathy, dehydration, tremors, overheating

Neurotoxicity associated with high doses. lower addiction risk. High instant tolerance

Withdrawal can cause loss of appetite, depression, anxiety,

Question 8

Muscimol mechanism, acute + long term effects, + withdrawal

Answer 8

GABAA agonist, euphoriant and mild psychedelic

Poor knowledge about longterm and withdrawal

Question 9

Treatments of addictions

Answer 9

substitutions, e.g., methadone or nicotine gum.

Antagonism, e.g., naltrexone (longer halflife)