drugs and society opiats chapter 4

benzodiazepines and the barbiturates

to control neurotic reactions in unstable patients, to
control anxiety, hypertension (high blood pressure), reduce seizure activity, and to
induce sleep.

similar to those of alcohol

produce a calming effect on mood, and behavior and are often perscribed for anxiety

are short acting drugs that are used to induce sleep their name comes from

to the receptors on the neurotransmitter GABA and enhance the receptors response to GABA. GABA is sometimes called

used alcohol and opiums to calm and control the mind

introduced in the 1850s but slow metabolism meant that toxins could build up in the body

1969 could give a sailor a mickey finn

used to control alcohol withdrawls but has offensive odor

peaked in the 1940s and 1950s, during the 1960s and 70s they

phenobarbital, seconal, meprobamate (milton), chlordiazepoxide (librium),
diazepam (valium)

1. symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders
2. anxiety in surgical patients
3. sleep disorders
4. spasms ans seizures
5. acute alcohol withdrawl symptoms

1. alprazolam (xanax)
2. lorazipam (activan)
3. clonazepam (klonopin)
4. diazepam (valium)
5. temazepam (restoril)

used because effects are similar to alcohol so can be abused for same reasons as alcohol. Often abused with

develops as the liver becomes more efficient at processing them, elderly patients the liver does not process the drug as quickly and can lead to over stimulation

can develop if a patient takes 10-20 times the normal dosage daily for a couple of months, or if taken normal dosage for a year or more, to avoid withdrawls

depress functioning of the Central nervous system

physical-sedation, muscle relaxation, drowsiness, coma if dose is high enough

opiats/opioids, sedatives-hypnotics, alcohol

are drugs refined from raw opium which is the milky fluid of the unripe seed pod,
the opium poppy

are chemical variations of morphine and codeine they include

are fully synthetic drugs and include

ancient mesopotamia, egypt, and greece around around 3400 B.C. plant was used as a

opium was originally chewed, eaten, or mixed with a drink and swallowed to induce drowsiness and cure illness

in the 16th century explorers and traders introduced the pipe to europe and asia and use became widespred most in china. this led to

in 1805 morphine was isolated from opium, and in 1874 chemists altered the morphine molecule to make heroin

the development of the hypodermic needle in 1853 made morphines even more potent and more addicting

in the 1800's hundreds of opium laced tonics were available. the overmedication by doctors and the popularity of the drug

if heroin is sufficiently pure, users can get high by snorting it. today over half of all heroin addicts get started their habits by this method

became illegal in the 1900s by which acts

prison population boomed and supplies dwindled to take place

5-10 million heroin users

3 percent, how much did afghanistan produce

the golden triangle

columbia and mexico

to deaden pain, contol coughing, and to stop diarrhea

is the neurotransmitter released by neuronsin spinal cord pathways to signal tissue damage.during a intense pain

our brains natural painkiller

and activate endorphin receptors, and thus mimics our brains natural pain reaction

mental pain such as fear and anxiety, and to produce a calm, detached mood.

reward/pleasure pathway which can produce a state of euphoria this can be detrimental to people at risk of addiction

bind the receptors in the brain whose function is to control the cough reflex

opioid drugs reduce gastric secretions and slow contractions of smooth muscles lining the intestines so that life threatening fluids is reduced

physical side effects include constipation, pupil constriction, drooping eyelids, relaxed muscle tone, dry itchy skin, vomiting

people seeking mental effectssuch as euphoria may need 10 times their original useage after a month of use

occurs when someone stops taking drugs. and they suffer from mental and physical side effects.

fever chills and goosebumps
intestinal cramping and diarrhea
bone and joint pain
muscle cramps
insomnia
and intense craving

it easily crosses the plecenta barrier so the fetus is exposed to the same level as the mom

each year 4000 to 5000 people die from opioids or combination of depressents

blue lips and pale or blueish skin
Slow shallow breaths with fluid rattles or gasps
Very constricted pupils that look like pin pricks
Skin feels cold and clammy

Immediate CPR is needed, and, if possible, an injection of an opioid receptor
antagonist such as naloxon (Narcan).

Dirty and shared needles. Heroin users can unknowingly inject adulterants, bacteria, and
viruses, including those that cause hepatitis B or C, endocarditus, flesh-eating bacteria,
and HIV, virus that causes AIDS.

50-90% carry hep. c and over half of IV drug users carry HIV which can spread to their sexual partners.

Street drugs can vary from 0 to 99% pure. Heroin is always cut or stepped on
with adulterates (cheap substitutes used to replace the drug).

A majority (79%) of heroin users has full-time jobs but a habit can grow from $20 to
$200 dollars a day. t is estimated that 60% of the cost is covered by prostitution and drug
dealing and 40% by shoplifting and burglary.

diacetylmorphine
Largest sources of illegal opium and heroin are Afghanistan and the Golden Triangle
(Burma, Northern Thailand and Laos). India is the largest grower of opium for legal
medical purposes.
Types of heroin include "China White" and “Persian brown". Since the 40's, Mexico has been largest supplier to U.S. of “black tar" heroin which is often smoked.

is not as strong as morphine, and generally used for relief of moderate pain or to
control coughs.

refined from opium and is the standard for pain relief measurement

(Dolophine)-A long-lasting opioid which is taken orally to reduce
heroin craving and reduce withdrawal symptoms

(Dilaudid) A semi-synthetic opioid refined from morphine. It
is 8 times more potent than morphine

(Oxycontin) A time release form of oxycodone.

Today it is the most abused oral pain reliever

(Demerol) A short-acting opioid, usually injected

(Darvon) An opioid prescribed for mild to moderate pain, especially
by dentists

(Sublimaze) The most powerful pain killer available (50 to 100 times
stronger than morphine)

Street versions of fentanyl, known as "China white," are made
without controls and can be very dangerous.

An opioid being tested for heroin replacement therapy

Opioid receptor antagonists which block the effects of
opioids and can be used to reverse a heroin overdose or discourage relapse.