Narcotic
Currently refers to naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy and their synthetic substitue
What are drugs referred to that have an association with opium?
Opioid (or opiate) narcotics
What has the term narcotic been incorrectly used for?
Many substances including marijuana and cocaine
Although opioid narcotics possess abuse potential....
they have important clinical value
The most common clinical use of opioid narcotics is as
analgesics to relieve pain
endorphins
The opioid narcotics relieve pain by activating the same group of receptors that are controlled by endogenous substances, released in response to stress or pain
Activation of opioid receptors
The opioid narcotics relieve pain by activating the same group of receptors that are controlled by endogenous substances called endorphins , released in response to stress or pain
Opioid narcotics are CNS depressants
...
All the opioid narcotic agents that activate opioid receptors have abuse potential and are classified as scheduled drugs
...
Tolerance begins...
with the first dose of a narcotic , although it does not become clinically evident until after 2 to 3 weeks of frequent use
What factors make an individual vulnerable to opioid abuse?
Family history of substance abuse issues (genetic vulnerability)
Dependence on nicotine, alcohol or sleeping pills
Depression
Use of psychiatric medications
Younger than 65 years of age
Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug
...
Some of the recent increases in heroin use likely due to...
increased abuse of Rx opioid painkillers
Patients should be educated about potential abuse problems prior to being prescribed opioid drugs
...
If significant abuse is suspected, the prescribing clinician should discuss their concerns with the patient to find appropriate steps to stop abuse
...
Heroin has a bitter taste and is often cut with...
quinine which can be a deadly adulterant
Heroin plus the artifical narcotic ______ can be dangerous due to its unexpected potency
fentanyl
Heroin is frequently used with ____
alcohol
Heroin combined with cocaine is called _____
speedballing
how to do heroin...
Smoking
Snorting the powder (nasal insufflation)
Injecting into muscle (intramuscular)
Mainlining (intravenous injection)
Amphetamine.... Synthetic chemical structure similar to natural neurotransmitters:
Norepinephrine, dopamine and epinephrine
Amphetamine...
Increase the release and block the metabolism
...
approved uses of amphetamines
Narcolepsy
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Weight reduction
Side Effects of Therapeutic Doses
Abuse and addiction
Cardiovascular toxicties
Increased heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Damage to blood vessels
Methods of Amphetamine Administration
Oral Ingestion (least efficient delivery method)
Intravenous Injection
Smoked
High doses of amphetamine...
can cause brain damage
Ecstasy enhances sensory input and....
has both stimulant and psychedelic effects
Ecstasy also releases...
both serotonin and dopamine and increases levels of oxytocin in the blood
Cocaine administration
It enhances sensory input and has both stimulant and psychedelic effects; it releases both serotonin and dopamine, and increases levels of oxytocin in the blood
Pharmacological Effects of Cocaine
Blocks the reuptake of these substances following their release from neurons
-Euphoria and positive feelings
- ups cardiovascular activity
-local anesthetic effect
What is the most frequently consumed stimulant in the world?
Caffeine
What is caffeine classified as?
xanthine
what is the average daily intake of caffeine?
2-3 cups of coffee a day
What is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US?
Tobacco
Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable death worldwide, and a risk factor of 75% of leading causes of death
WHO estimated that tobacco use kills 6 million people worldwide each year
In 2011, 68.2 million Americans what % of the population age 12+ reported current use of a tobacco product?
0.266
The amount of nicotine absorbed depends upon
The exact composition of the tobacco
How densely the tobacco is packed in the cigarette
Whether a filter is used & characteristics of the filter
The volume of smoke inhaled
The number of cigarettes smoked
Nicotine is a stimulant
But not the biggest problem per se
The inhalation of combusted materials, toxins and carcinogens is what is most harmful to tobacco smokers
Cigarette smoking is a major cause of cancers of the lungs, bladder, pancreas, cervix, esophagus, stomach, oral cavity and kidney
...
There is NO conclusive evidence of reduced health risks associated with low-tar cigarettes
...
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices that deliver nicotine (or other substances) to users as a vapor
FDA has not fully evaluated e-cigarettes for effectiveness or safety
FDA only regulates e-cigarettes marketed for therapeutic purposes