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How Drugs Work Homeostasis maintenance of an environment of body functions within a certain range.
Neurotransmission Ψ All nervous systems consist of specialized nerve cells called neurons Ψ Neurons are responsible for receiving and sending information Ψ Sending and receiving information is highly specialized, precise and very rapid Ψ The receiving region of the neuron is affected by a chemical message that either excites or inhibits Ψ If the message is excitatory, an impulse moves from the receiving region of the neuron down the axon to the sending region, the terminal, and chemical messengers, neurotransmitters, are released The Nervous Systems: Ψ Somatic Nervous System o Sensory information o Voluntary actions Ψ The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) o Sympathetic o Parasympathetic Ψ The Central Nervous System o The Brain o Chemical Pathways
Brain Imaging Techniques Ψ PET-Position Emission Tomography Ψ MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Alcohol 1. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that is a CNS depressant the second most abused psychoactive drug. 2. Measured in proof 3. Alcohol is often looked at as a non-drug a. 1700s alcohol preferred over water b. Puritans Good Creature of God c. Post revolution alcohol problem d. 780s introduced idea of addiction Temperance Movement to Prohibition Who Drinks and Why Cultural influences Russians/Irish heavy drinkers French drink with meals consume more alcohol than any other nation Czechs worlds leading beer drinkers Ireland, Germany and Austria Gender Differences males drink more alcohol than females Students Physiological Effects of Alcohol Brain: 1-2 drinks affect the outer brain dis-inhibition, euphoria, relaxation (.05 BAC) 3 + drinks affect the cerebellum coordination, perception and memory blackouts; midbrain reflexes, stupor, coma; medulla lowered heart rate and breathing death; long term use decreases brain tissue alcoholic dementia; teenage brain underdeveloped prefrontal cortex Heart: cholesterol; blood pressure Increased calories obesity / diabetes Cardiomyopathy Cardiac arrhythmia / cardiac death GI tract: stomach increased acid Cancer: mouth / esophagus / stomach / intestines Liver: ALD fatty liver/ alcohol hepatitis/ cirrhosis/ liver cancer Reproductive system: decreased testosterone; lowered function and size; decreased fertility in women Immune system: increased breast cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, acne Psychological Effects of Alcohol Increased BAC increases effects of blackouts; increased sexual behavior; crime and violence Alcohol Dependence Withdrawal Syndrome 1. Tremors, rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, appetite loss, insomnia 2. Hallucinations 3. Delusions 4. Seizure activity
Alcoholism symptoms include: ● Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink ● Feeling a strong need or compulsion to drink ● Developing tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing amount to feel its effects ● Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances due to drinking ● Drinking alone or in secret ● Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and shaking when you don't drink ● Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out" ● Making a ritual of having drinks at certain times and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned ● Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure ● Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available ● Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in your car ● Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal" People who abuse alcohol may have many of the same signs and symptoms as people who have full-blown alcoholism. However, if you abuse alcohol but aren't completely addicted to it, you may not feel as much of a compulsion to drink. You may not have physical withdrawal symptoms when you don't drink. Yet, alcohol abuse can still cause serious problems. As with alcoholism, you may not be able to quit drinking without help. If you've ever wondered whether your drinking crosses the line into alcohol abuse or dependence, ask yourself these questions: ● If you're a man, do you ever have five or more drinks in a day? One standard drink is equivalent to 12 ounces (354.9 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (147.9 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44.4 milliliters) of 80-proof spirits. ● If you're a woman, do you ever have four or more drinks in a day? ● Do you need a drink as soon as you get up? ● Do you feel guilty about your drinking? ● Do you think you need to cut back on how much you drink? ● Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits? If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you may have a problem with alcohol. When to see a doctor If you feel that you don't have control over your drinking, talk with your doctor. See your doctor even if you don't think you have alcoholism, but you're concerned that you might be drinking too much or that alcohol may be causing problems in your life. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health provider or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Because denial is a frequent characteristic of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, you may not feel like you need treatment. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to family members, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help.
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