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Flashcards in Drugs of Abuse Deck (23)
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1
Q

Mechanism of Reinforcement/abuse of drugs

A

Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Correction of deficient endorphin or reinforcement system
Need to continue use due to downregulation of endorphin or reinforcement system
Associative learning/condition

2
Q

Positive reinforcement in drug abuse

A

Increased release of DA in the nucleus accumbens (mesolimbic pathway)

3
Q

Negative reinforcement in drug abuse

A

gradual dependence of alleviation of preexisting dysphoria or painful states (self-medicating)

4
Q

Associative learning/conditioning in drug abuse

A

drug effects & withdrawal become linked w/cues & mood states

5
Q

Opioid analgesics

A

bind to opioid receptors and relieve pain (analgesia)

6
Q

Activation of which receptor has the strongest analgesic effect and most abuse potential?

A

µ receptor

7
Q

What is the second most abused illicit drug?

A

Rx opioid analgesics

8
Q

What is the 1st most abused illicit drug?

A

Marijuana

9
Q

Acute effects of alcohol abuse

A
executive disinhibition
extremely poor judgment
MVA's
date rape
unprotected sex
spousal or child abuse
aggression
crime
death
10
Q

Time out

A

Alcohol represents time out from the usual rules of daily behavior that govern behavior

11
Q

Alcohol myopia

A

When intoxicated, local and immediate cues govern behavior

12
Q

T or F: alcohol has both positive and negative reinforcing effects, which explains some addictive potential.

A

T

13
Q

What are the positively reinforcing effects of alcohol use?

A

increase of DA release in the mesolimbic pathway by stimulating opioid and cannabinoid receptors on DA neurons in VTA, thereby reinforcing and increasing craving

14
Q

What are the negatively reinforcing effects of alcohol use?

A

It’s anxiolytic, causing CNS inhibition/depression by enhancing GABAA and inhibits NMDA-Glu receptors

15
Q

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A

Small brains, learning disabilities, low IQ’s, hyperactivity, physical abnormalities

16
Q

What is the active ingredient in marijuana obtained from cannabis sativa

A

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

17
Q

What receptor does THC act on?

A

CB1

18
Q

Anandamide

A

an endocannabinoid that plays a role in forgetting so that the brain is not overwhelmed with information

19
Q

Acute effects of MJ at usual doses

A

Relaxation, sense of well-being, friendliness, sense of having special insights
Loss of temporal awareness (time estimation, confusion, past w/present); slowed cognitive processing; impaired selective & divided attention, short-term memory, cognitive flexibility

20
Q

Acute effects of MJ at toxic doses

A

panic, delirium, paranoia, psychosis

21
Q

Effects of chronic, heavy (daily) use

A
  • shortened attention span, distractibility, impaired judgement, short-term memory deficits (which may persist after use)
  • Hypomotivational syndrome, impaired communication & interpersonal skills, introversion, loss of insight, feelings of personalization
22
Q

What impact does chronic MJ use have on patients at risk for schizophrenia?

A
  • precipitation of ill,ess
  • lower age of onset
  • exacerbate current illness
23
Q

What are some of the positive benefits of using MJ?

A
  • May suppress appetite and reduce pain sensitivity

- May lower BP, reduce nausea and decrease intraocular pressure in glaucoma