Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
(60 cards)
DEA Schedule I
High Potential for Abuse
No acceptable use as a therapeutic in the US
Examples: LSD, Heroin, Marijuana
DEA Schedule II
High Potential for Abuse
Abuse may lead to sever psychological (addiction) or physical dependence
These drugs have accepted medical uses in the US
Examples: morphine, codeine, amphetamine, cocaine, barbituates
DEA Schedule III
Potential for abuse less than drugs in Schedules I and II
Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence
Examples: codeine+acetaminophen, anabolic steroids
DEA Schedule IV
Low potential for abuse compared to the drugs in Schedule III
Abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the drugs in Schedule III
Examples: benzodiazepines, tramadol
DEA Schedule V
Low potential for abuse relative to the drugs in Schedule IV
Examples: OTC cough medicines w/codeine
Cellular Tolerance
Adaptive response of cells to drug exposure
Major Mechanism: Occurs within seconds, hours, or days
Changes in receptors or cell signaling proteins
Receptors can be removed from the cell surface or trafficked to the cell surface
Synthesis of new receptors can be inhibited
Metabolic Tolerance
Enhanced elimination rate of drug
Minor mechanism
Induction of drug metabolizing enzymes
Biological Theory of Addiction
Stimulation of the brain’s reward system
Main Component of the Reward System
Mesocorticolimbic pathway: dopaminergic neurons from midbrain (ventral tegmental area) to the forebrain (nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex)
Physiological Dependence
Appearance of withdrawal symptoms when drug intake is stopped
Occurs with repeated/chronic use of the drug
Impaired Control Over Substance Use Criteria
- Individual uses a substance in larger amounts or for longer period of time than intended
- Wants to cut down or quit but not able to
- Spends a lot of time obtaining and using a substance
- Craving: intense desire or urge to obtain the substance
Social Impairment Criteria
- Failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home due to substance use
- Continues substance use despite negative social or interpersonal consequences
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced due to substance abuse
Risk Use Criteria
- Recurrent substance use in situations that are physically hazardous
- Continues substance use despite known negative physical/psychological effects
Pharmacological Criteria
- Appearance of tolerance: use requires markedly increased doses of substance to achieve the desired effect
- Appearance of withdrawal symptoms: Individual is likely to consume the substance to relieve the symptoms
Opioids: Drug Effect
Activation of mu opioid receptors in medullary respiratory center, spinal and supraspinal sites mediating analgesia, enteric nerves
Opioids: Acute Effects
Histamine release resulting in vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, hypotension
Potentially life-threatening respiratory depression
Opioids: Tolerance/Withdrawal
Uncomfortable but not life-threatening symptoms: hyperalgesia, diarrhea, dilated pupils, hypertension, sweating, dysphoria, craving
Opioids: Mechanism of Reward Pathway Activation
Activation of mu opioid receptors in reward pathway
CNS Depressants: Drug Effects
Ethanol: enhances GABA binding to GABA-A receptors, inhibits glutamate binding to NMDA receptor
Benzodiazepines: enhance GABA binding to GABA-A receptor
Barbituates: enhance GABA binding and directly activate GABA-A receptor
CNS Depressants: Mechanism of Reward Pathway
Ethanol: inhibits glutamate binding to NMDA receptor, facilitates release of endogenous opioids in VTA
CNS Depressants: Acute Effects/Toxicity
Potentially life-threatening respiratory depression with ethanol and barbiturates
CNS Depressants: Tolerance/Withdrawal
Sympathetically driven tremors, tachycardia, hypertension, sweating
Stimulants: Drug Effect
Amphetamine and methamphetamine enhance synaptic release of DA
Cocaine blocks reuptake of DA
Stimulants: Acute Effects
Acute Effects: arousal, alertness, euphoria, increased HR and BP
Chronic Use can lead to hallucinations, violent behavior, psychosis
