CEP 404 - Quiz 4

Which of the following substances have been abused for their major effects as a sedative-hypnotic?

1. GBL (gamma butyllactone) 2. Seroquel (quetiapine) 3. Placidyl (ethchlorvynol)

In addition to alcohol and opioids, other depressant drugs include which of the following?

1. over-the-counter and look-alike downers, including antihistamines 2. skeletal muscle relaxants 3. sedative-hypnotics, including benzodiazepines

Tolerance to one type of depressant, such as alcohol, can lead to the development of cross-tolerance for another depressant, such as benzodiazepines.

True

One of the symptoms of chronic opiate use is itchy skin.

True—The skin dries out, and itching increases due to histamine release.

Withdrawal from opiates produces symptoms that are the opposite of the drug's effects. Considering this fact, which of the following symptoms would be expected from opiate withdrawal?

1. bone, joint, and muscular pain 2. insomnia and anxiety 3. high blood pressure, rapid pulse, and tachycardia

Which of the following statements is true regarding the activation of the dopaminergic reward/control system?

2. It releases a surge of pleasure that encourages repetition of behaviors intended primarily for survival. 3. It is largely responsible for drives to have sex, eat, and drink (water as well as alcohol). 4. It is activated by dopamine.

Which of the following correctly lists the three major classes of depressants?

Alcohol, opiates, sedative-hypnotics.

Addiction to and withdrawal from benzodiazepines is not as severe or as dangerous as opioid addiction.

False

An individual who is under the influence of heroin will have dilated pupils.

False—An individual who is under the influence of heroin will have constricted or pinpoint pupils.

Depressants affect the central nervous system by elevating the user's blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, and respiration.

False—Depressants affect the CNS by lowering the user's blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, and respiration.

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is used by sexual predators to increase sexual desires in their victims.

False—GHB is used to lower the victims' defenses and to induce amnesia.

The majority of heroin available in the United States comes from Afghanistan.

False—Less than 20% comes from Afghanistan. The vast majority comes from Mexico and South America.

Opioids, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), usually suppress nausea and vomiting.

False—Opioids can trigger the nausea center.

Sedatives are medications used to induce sleep.

False—Sedatives are minor tranquilizers use to calm anxiety.

The "stop" switch in the brain, which tells your mind and body that it has had enough and disrupts the addictive cycle, is located in the brain stem.

False—The "stop" switch is located in the new brain in the prefrontal cortex and can be disrupted by powerful psychoactive drugs like heroin.

Which of the following statements about opioids is true?

There is almost no limit to the level of opioid tolerance a human can develop.

Benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics generally have a higher margin of overdose safety than other drugs in this depressant category.

True

Drug tolerance develops in part due to the increased efficiency of the liver in processing a drug that is used regularly.

True

Law enforcement and treatment personnel can get a strong indication of what type of drug a person is using from the size of his pupils.

True

Opiates block the release of substance P, which is the name of the neurotransmitter that transmits pain messages from nerve cell to nerve cell.

True

Why is it dangerous to combine an opioid with a downer like alcohol, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines?

because the combination of depressants increases the potential for respiratory depression, overdose, and death.

For how long can post-acute withdrawal symptoms following detoxification and abstinence from opioid or other drug addictions persist?

for three to six months or longer after detoxification

Of 1,033 new drugs approved by the FDA between 1989 and 2000, what percentage showed no significant clinical improvement over older and cheaper drugs already in use?

more than 50%

The synergistic effect of drugs refers to...

the combination of two or more depressant drugs, which magnifies their effect on the CNS.