Question

Option 1: Psychoactive Drugs and Their Effects on the Brain

Your roommate Gretchen has had chronic pain issues since she broke her back in a car accident about a year ago. You know that she finished her prescription pain killers at least three months ago, but you’re suspicious she’s been taking something else. Quite frequently you find Gretchen passed out in her room, and when she is awake, she doesn’t seem to care about much. She stopped going to class and says her pain is way better than it was a few months ago. You got really worried last week when you found a syringe laying on the bathroom floor and then found out from your landlord that Gretchen never paid her share of the rent. What drug is Gretchen on?

Choose at least 4 of the following questions to discuss:

1. What drug has the individual in this case been using? What led you to believe this?

2. What are the subjective effects of the drug (i.e., what has a person reported feeling after using the drug)?

3. What receptors, transporters, or neurotransmitters could be involved? How does the drug affect these receptors, transporters, or neurotransmitters?

4. Provide at least one relevant website concerning the drug in question.

5. Is this drug addictive? What are the consequences of continued use of this drug?

6. Putting yourself in the role of a professional counselor or biological psychologist, what advice do you have for concerned family or friends of someone using this drug?

Answer 1

1) The individual has been either taking heroin or opoids as it is called,amphetamines ,cocaine.Heroin or opoids is medically know to alleviate pain.It can be taken orally or in the form of injection.This is not availabe without a prescription.she has been saying her pain is way better,consumption of opoid relieves acute pain and she is in a state of euphoria.

2) The person has been relieved of pain ,disconnected from the real world,relaxation and slipping in and out of consciousness.

3) One of the ways in which heroin creates is by stimulating the natural neurotransmitters(endogenous opoids includes endorphins) in the brain.Neurotransmitters are similar to opiates so the receptors for the natural opiates will accept both the natutal and artificaial varieties.Receptors are located on neuron(y-amniobutyric acid)GABA neurotransmitters.GABA proteins are involved in the release and inhibition of dopamine.

5) The drug is very addictive as when taken in higher doses than required it can affect the CNS and the respiratory system.Overdose can cause slow breathing,brain damage and circulation to stop.Intravenous effects lead to contracting HIV ,hepatitis through sharing of needles,poisoning from contminants.

6) As a proffesional counselor,familyshould be advised to give full psychosocial support to the person. Behaviour therapy is often used as to make them understand how they feel better without drugs.Certain drugs are given by only a medical practioner to slowly withdraw the person consuming heroin . Most often if they are in a very addictive stage rehabilitation centres are preferred. .One can follow the twelve step program in addiction.The drug user has to go through treatment,rehabilitation and social integration.