Drugs Learning objectives - PowerPoint Presentation

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DrugsSlide2

Learning objectives

What is drug misuse and drug abuse?

What is addiction?

Understand basic ideas about how drugs may influence transmission of action potentials from pre-synaptic neuron to post-synaptic neuron.

You do NOT need to memorize the individual effects of each of the drugs. You SHOULD be able to understand and explain such statements as “Drug X blocks the serotonin re-uptake protein on the pre-synaptic neuron”.

What are some effects of stimulants?

What are some effects of depressants?

What are some effects of cannabinoids?

What is the active ingredient of marijuana?Slide3

Drug (ab

)useSlide4
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Drug use and misuse and abuse

Misuse

Prescription drugs used for other purposes

Abuse

Use of drugs in an amount, a situation or a manner that causes problems or increases risk of problemsSlide7

Dependence and Addiction

Dependence – Physiological – Body relies on the drug in order to avoid withdrawal

Addiction – Uncontrollable cravings, inability to control drug use (or behavior) despite doing harm to oneself and othersSlide8
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Stimulants

Cocaine (and crack)

Amphetamines (

A

dderall)

Methylphenydate

(Ritalin,

Concerta

)

Methamphetamine (meth)

MDMA (ecstasy, also hallucinogenic)

Bath salts

CaffeineSlide11
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Action of depressants

Depressants increase binding of GABA, which

enhances

GABA’s

inhibitory effectSlide14
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THC

GABA usually reduces amount of dopamine released

THC binds (and blocks) GABA.

Post-synaptic neuron releases more dopamine in next step

Increased

dopamine release by this neuronSlide16

Opioids (Narcotics)

Mimics endorphin (endogenous morphine)

Depresses some parts of the brain

Stimulate other

parts, including reward pathways

Opioids – general term that includes:

Heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone,

codein

,

thebaineSlide17

Opioids

Primary action of opioids

Opioids affect ion balance in pre-synaptic cell, preventing neurotransmitter release.

Pathways affected

Brain

Activates reward system (leads to addiction)

Brainstem

Depresses respiration (often the cause of death in overdoses)

Spinal chord

Dampens transmission of pain-related signals

Intestines

Reduces peristalsis, causing constipationSlide18

Opioids

Overdose treatment

Naloxone (

Narcan

)

Binds to opioid receptors

Prevents binding by opioids

Acts very quicklySlide19

Opiate withdrawal

Initial Withdrawal symptoms

Muscle aches and spasms

Trouble

sleeping

Racing heart

Sweating

Anxiety

Yawning

Hypertension

Fever

agitationSlide20

Opioid detox

Medical

Methadone (

D

olophine

,

Methadose

) and Buprenorphine (

Subutex

)

Stimulate opioid pathways

Dampened ‘high’

Reduce withdrawal symptoms

Naltrexone (

Depade

,

Revia

)

Blocks action of opioids

Prevents getting high

Long-acting formulations (

Vivitrol

) administered once per

month

Compliance often difficult because no high is created

Behavioral therapies

Contingency management – rewards for negative drug tests

Cognitive-behavior therapy – increase skills to cope with life stressorsSlide21

LSD activates serotonin receptors

MDMA causes excessive serotonin and dopamine release

PCP affects many neurotransmitter systems

Affects region of brain dealing with perception.

May include mixing senses (‘hearing’ colors and ‘seeing’ sounds)

‘Trips’ may be pleasurable or a ‘bad trip’ may include terrifying thoughts or nightmares

Some are addictive (PCP, MDMA)

Some are not (LSD)

Some users develop chronic mental disorders