Transcript Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Stimulants © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stimulants are substances that cause the user to feel pleasant effects, such as an increase in energy, due to the ability of the drugs to release dopamine. Stimulants increase alertness, excitation, and euphoria, and are referred to as uppers. © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. History of Cocaine Cocaine can be traced back to Coca. It has been used as a stimulant for thousands of years. Natives of the Andes mountains chewed coca leafs which gave them energy to run and carry things long distances. © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. History of Cocaine Coca Wine Local Anesthesia Angelo Mariani Lozenges, tea, wine, Coca-Cola Hypodermic syringe Dr. W.S. Halsted Early Psychiatric uses Sigmund Freud Treatment for depression and morphine depression © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Early Legal Control From 1887 to 1914, 46 states passed laws to regulate cocaine Press and politicians associated cocaine with black urbanites of New York Major influence on the passage of the Harrison Act © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Cocaine Administration Orally Inhaled into the nasal passages “Snorting” Injected intravenously Chewing of the coca leaf Hypodermic needle Smoked Freebasing Crack © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Contemporary Legal Controls on Cocaine End of the 1960s cocaine use began to increase again Many raved about the benefits of cocaine Until 1985 it was the drug of choice, due to the high cost, for those with extra income Then an inexpensive ($5 to $10 a hit) form that could be smoked became available © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Contemporary Legal Controls on Cocaine Again, the media and politicians going after blacks urbanites The Anti-drug Abuse Act of 1986 was passed The Anti-drug Abuse Act of 1988 added tougher penalties for first-time users Concerns about racial profiling © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Figure 6.1 Cocaine © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Mechanism of Action Chemical structure does not tell us how or why it works Cocaine blocks reuptake of many neurotransmitters Absorption and Elimination Chewing or sucking provides a slow absorption and onset of effects Snorting is absorbed rapidly and reaches the brain quickly Intravenous use delivers a high concentration to the brain producing a rapid and brief effect Crack is less invasive than intravenous use and the onset of effects is just as fast © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Cause for Concern Acute Toxicity Chronic Toxicity Dependence Potential © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 3 Main Stages of Cocaine Withdrawal The “crash,” the initial abstinence phase consisting of depression, agitation, suicidal thoughts, and fatigue Withdrawal, including mood swings, craving, anhedonia, and obsession with drug seeking Extinction, when normal pleasure returns, which cues trigger craving and mood swings © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Amphetamines History Wartime use Ephedrine Sympathomimetic drug Patented in 1932 Used by American soldiers in WWII to fight fatigue Speed Scene Amphetamines are often used with other combinations of drugs called ‘speedballs’ Illegal methamphetamine Most common and heavily-used amphetamine © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Amphetamines Causes alertness Can cause anxiety, severe apprehension or panic Potent effects on dopamine in the reward center of the brain Behavioral stereotyping © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. How Stimulants are Taken Amphetamines can be taken: Orally Intravenously Speed freak Smoking Ice © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Athletics Hyperkinetic behavior Weight reduction Approved Uses of Amphetamines Narcolepsy © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. “Smart Pills” Side Effects of Therapeutic Doses Agitation, anxiety, panic Irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and heart attack or stroke Intense and high-dose abuse can cause severe psychotic behavior, stereotyping, seizures, and severe cardiovascular side effects, as noted above © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Summary of the Effects of Amphetamines Body • • • • • • • • • • • • • Increase heartbeat Increase blood pressure Decreased appetite Increased breathing rate Inability to sleep Sweating Dry mouth Muscle twitching Convulsions Fever Cheat pain Irregular heartbeat Death due to overdose © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Mind • • • • • • • • • • Decrease fatigue Increased confidence Increased feeling of alertness Restlessness, talkativeness Increased irritability Fearfulness, apprehension Distrust of people Behavioral stereotyping Hallucination Psychosis Current Misuse Decline in abuse in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s In 1993, the declines were replaced by an alarming increase Increase in use of methamphetamine led to the “National Methamphetamine Strategy” in 1996 “Speed” Due to the ease of production, methamphetamine is often made in makeshift labs in homes or garages © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Cause for Concern Acute Toxicity Chronic Toxicity Dependence Potential © 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.