Question

There are no results for Drugs of Abuse Mr. V, a 47 year-old man, was recently promoted as a director of a transportation company. A routine inspection of the books shows that a large sum of money is missing. Subsequent investigation finds that Mr. V has been spending more than $20,000 a month to buy cocaine; currently he consumes 2-3 g/d. He also drinks several beers each day and 5-8 shots of vodka in the evening. He spends weekend nights in clubs, where he often consumes 2-3 pills of ecstasy. He began using drugs at age 18; during parties he mostly smoked cannabis (5-6 joints per weekend), but also tried cocaine. This “recreational use” came to an abrupt halt when he married at age 27 and entered a professional training program that allowed him to obtain his current job, now jeopardized by his cocaine use. 1. Is Mr. V addicted, dependent, or both? Explain your reasoning. (5points) 2. What is the reason for the use of several different addictive drugs at the same time? (5points) 3. Exogenous cannabinoids (marijuana) include several pharmacologically active substances, but the main psychoactive alkaloid is called __________________________. (2points) 4. When CB1 receptors are activated by marijuana it produces several effects. List at least 3 of the effects. (3points) 5. Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug primarily used for recreational purposes. Ecstasy increases the activity of three brain chemicals. Describe the three brain chemicals that it increases. (5points)

Answer 1

1) Mr V got addicted drugs and also dependent, this is because during the age of 27, he was very addicted to drugs, because Mr V doesnt have any one to guide him, so he used to be addictive, but when he got married at 27, then he had a wife, who can take care of his personal issues, but it may be once again work pressure or some prrssures wherr again Mr V started getting addicted drugs, if gets addicted they will do anything for the drugs like cheating, stealing,hurting others etc

2) Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).

3)

The brain communicates with itself by transmitting chemicals from one neuron, or nerve, to the other. And this regular, rapid-fire messaging plays a big role in how you feel and function each day.

These neurotransmitter chemicals are classified into two basic categories: excitatory, meaning they stimulate brain activity, or inhibitory, meaning they have a more calming effect. Learn more about a few common brain chemicals and how they impact your thinking and mood.

Four Important Brain Chemicals

• Serotonin. You probably already know that serotonin plays a role in sleep and in depression, but this inhibitory chemical also plays a major role in many of your body's essential functions, including appetite, arousal, and mood. ...
• Dopamine. Dopamine controls many functions, including behavior, emotion, and cognition. This chemical also communicates with the front part of your brain, which is associated with pleasure and reward. On the positive side, it helps motivate you to work toward achieving a reward. However, many illegal drugs also target dopamine receptors, contributing to drug and alcohol addiction. Because dopamine is related to movement, low levels have also been linked to Parkinson’s disease
• Glutamate. This is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter, found throughout your brain and spinal cord. Glutamate has many essential functions, including early brain development, cognition, learning, and memory.
• Norepinephrine.This chemical, also called noradrenaline, can sometimes act as a hormone as well. Its primary role is part of your body’s stress response. It works with the hormone adrenaline to create the “fight-or-flight” feeling. Norephinephrine may also be used as a drug to raise or maintain blood pressure in certain illnesses.