Substance Use Disorder and Cocaine

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Questions and Answers

What is a potential long-term effect of cocaine use?

Improved sexual performance

Increased muscle mass

Enhanced cognitive function

Toxic psychosis (correct)

What percentage of Canadians who died from opioid overdose between January 2016 and September 2020 were less than 50 years old?

70% (correct)

50%

60%

80%

Which of the following is a legitimate therapeutic use of cocaine?

Pain management in cancer patients

Local anesthetic in throat and mouth (correct)

Chronic sleep disorder treatment

Treatment of ADHD

What distinguishes cocaine's duration of action compared to amphetamines?

Cocaine has a shorter duration of action, less than an hour. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the criteria for diagnosing Substance Use Disorder?

Psychological Dependence Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'Impaired Control' in the context of Substance Use Disorder?

Persistently craving the substance Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of simultaneous consumption of alcohol and cocaine?

Production of cocaethylene Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the brain's reward system in the context of addiction?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of cocaine's potential for substance use disorder?

Addiction occurs mainly due to its euphoric effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential withdrawal symptom from cocaine cessation?

Profound mood depression Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a mild Substance Use Disorder?

Meeting two criteria Signup and view all the answers

Which category of drugs is associated with producing novelty?

LSD and ecstasy Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism describes how cocaine affects neurotransmitters in the brain?

Inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and serotonin. Signup and view all the answers

During drug withdrawal, what factor can influence the continuation of drug use?

Fear of withdrawal Signup and view all the answers

How does the misuse liability of cocaine compare to other substances?

It has one of the highest misuse liabilities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is known to reduce anxiety?

Benzodiazepines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary therapeutic use of nicotine?

Smoking cessation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a short-term effect of smoking in regular smokers?

Dizziness Signup and view all the answers

How is nicotine metabolized in the body?

It is metabolized rapidly in the liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated annual economic cost of tobacco use in Canada?

$16 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical half-life of nicotine in the body?

2 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism underlies the stimulating effects of nicotine?

Stimulation of nicotinic receptors Signup and view all the answers

What cardiovascular effect is associated with smoking due to carbon monoxide?

Reduced capacity of red blood cells to carry oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the depth of inhalation have on nicotine absorption?

It controls the dose of nicotine absorbed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms are specifically withdrawal symptoms of stimulants?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What best describes drug tolerance?

It is reversible upon drug discontinuation. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT typically associated with an increased risk of substance use disorder (SUD)?

Current physical fitness Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of harm reduction strategies?

Preventing negative consequences without coercion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes cross tolerance?

Tolerance to a drug develops as a result of using another drug. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common withdrawal symptom of opioids?

Abdominal cramping Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact does stigma have on individuals with substance use disorder (SUD)?

Reduced likelihood of seeking help Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects the misuse potential of a drug?

The drug's impact on the brain's pleasure pathways Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that routes of administration with rapid absorption have a greater potential for misuse?

They produce immediate pleasurable effects. Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount and frequency of drug use influence its potential for misuse?

Increased amounts and frequency elevate the potential for misuse. Signup and view all the answers

What does the inherent harmfulness of a drug refer to?

The potential to cause significant harm. Signup and view all the answers

Which effect is NOT associated with the short-term use of amphetamines?

Chronic sleeping problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with long-term use of amphetamines?

Psychoses and anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the significant health risks associated with smoking during pregnancy?

2-3x increase in the fetus being small or premature Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine?

Fatigue and inability to concentrate Signup and view all the answers

What neurotransmitters do amphetamines primarily affect to create their stimulant effects?

Dopamine and norepinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What role does caffeine play in the body?

It functions as a stimulant affecting the CNS and cardiovascular system Signup and view all the answers

How does the method of synthesis affect the misuse potential of amphetamines?

Illegally manufactured amphetamines may have variable purity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes MDMA (ecstasy)?

Promotes euphoria, but may cause neurotoxicity. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT directly associated with smoking?

Skin rejuvenation Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the metabolism and excretion of caffeine?

Genetics Signup and view all the answers

What common health issue is linked to exposure to passive smoke in children?

Increased risk of bronchitis and pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

How is the half-life of caffeine described in terms of individual variability?

It varies from 2.5 to 10 hours among different individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of tolerance in smokers?

It can occur without increasing doses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module 2 - Drug Misuse and Addiction

Opioid Crisis: 19,395 Canadians died from apparent opioid overdose between January 2016 and September 2020. 70% were under 50 years old.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Defined and clinically diagnosed by criteria including:
- Social Impairment: Individual fails to fulfill major roles or consistently has social/interpersonal problems.
- Risky Use: Substance use is physically dangerous or psychologically problematic, despite awareness.
- Impaired Control: May experience cravings even with adverse consequences. Tolerance (needing more of the substance to feel the effect) and withdrawal (symptoms when stopping) can also occur.
Addiction: Persistent craving for the drug, regardless of consequences, and mental/emotional preoccupation with the drug's effects.
Physical Symptoms: Occur when dose is stopped. Symptoms are not exclusive to drugs; issues like gambling and shopping can trigger them.

Dopamine Hypothesis

Suggests that commonly misused drugs increase dopamine in the brain's reward system, and dopamine is key to the brain's reward system.
Other neurotransmitters are involved too, but dopamine plays a primary role.
Exaggerated dopamine increase caused by addiction-linked drugs.

Characteristics of Addictive Drugs

Increase Dopamine (alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, cocaine, morphine, heroin)
Produce Novelty (LSD, ecstasy)
Reduce Anxiety (benzodiazepines)
Depressants

Drug Withdrawal

An abnormal physiological state caused by repeated drug use.
Severity is directly correlated to the speed of withdrawal.
Withdrawal can be dangerous and cause the person to stay on the drug due to fear of withdrawal symptoms.
Physiological processes accommodate to the drug.

Drug Tolerance

A shortened duration of effect and decreased magnitude of the drugs effect.
Specific to each drug and reversible upon removal.

Cross Tolerance

Resistance or tolerance to one drug caused by resistance/tolerance to a similar drug (pharmacologically).
For example, if a person is tolerant to one CNS depressant, they are also likely tolerant to others like benzodiazepines, even if they have not taken any.

Factors Influencing SUD

Genetics: Predisposition to SUD, mutations in dopamine pathways.
Pre-existing disorders: Mental health disorders increase risk.
Environment: Family dynamics, trauma, peer groups.
Development: Vulnerability during specific developmental periods.

Prescription Drugs and Misuse

Some medications can be misused and lead to addiction.
Strategies for reducing misuse focus on lower frequency of dose use
Higher dose and frequency of intake increase misuse potential

Amphetamines and Cocaine

CNS stimulants
Short-term effects: Increase mental alertness and physical energy. Mood elevation, reduced fatigue, etc.
Long-term effects: Anxiety, insomnia. cardiovascular problems, etc
Withdrawal: Sleepiness, low mood, muscle pain, etc

Nicotine

Naturally occurring substance in tobacco
Causes physical dependence
Rapid absorption into the body
Metabolized rapidly in the liver
Social, economic, and health costs are high
Use can be dangerous even in low doses, particularly when combined with other substances.

Caffeine

Most commonly used drug globally.
CNS stimulant
Affects the cardiovascular system
Rapid absorption and distribution throughout the body
Metabolized and excreted relatively quickly (half-life: 2.5-10 hours)

Smoking Effects

Lung damage, increased risk of cancer (due to various carcinogens like carbon monoxide + many other chemicals produced when burning tobacco), respiratory problems, heart disease, etc.
Long-term Effects: Respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, cancer risk.
Withdrawal symptoms upon quitting.

Alcohol

CNS Depressant
Short-term effects: Reduced anxiety, sedation, etc.
Long-term effects: Liver disease, cognitive impairment, etc.
Withdrawal symptoms.

Anabolic Steroids

Synthetic hormones, increase muscle mass
Negative effects on the body. mood issues, cardiovascular issues, and more.
Unlawful to use these unless under supervision from a physician and only for specified medical conditions.

Blood Doping

Increase red blood cells to improve performance
Dangerous procedure.

Diuretics

Increase urine output.
Used before competitions to meet weight requirements.
Can mask other banned substance use: it helps to cleanse the body, clearing of illicit substances quicker.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the effects, uses, and consequences of cocaine use as well as its relationship to Substance Use Disorder. This quiz covers therapeutic applications, withdrawal symptoms, and the impact on the brain's reward system. Dive into the nuances of addiction and better understand this important public health issue.