Drugs and the Neuroscience of Behavior An
Introduction to Psychopharmacology 2nd Edition Prus
Test Bank
What is a definition for drug addiction? - ANSWER: Certain individuals use certain
substances in certain ways thought at certain times to be unacceptable by certain
other individuals for reasons both certain and uncertain.
What are characteristics of physical dependence? - ANSWER: Abstinence causes
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that lead someone to start taking that drug again.
Compulsive drug seeking and drug use - ANSWER: In an addict, this is driven by a
craving for more of a drug
Chronic relapse - ANSWER: An addict can have drug-free periods, but will relapse to
using the drug again, despite negative consequences.
Remission - ANSWER: When an addict goes through a drug-free period
Harrison Act of 1914 - ANSWER: Regulated dispensing and use of opioid drugs and
cocaine
18th Amendment - ANSWER: Banned the sale of alcohol
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - ANSWER: Established the schedule of controlled
substances and created the DEA
What are the risk factors for Drug Addiction? - ANSWER: 1) Heritability
2) Growing up in a family with a substance abusing parent
3) History of physical and emotional abuse
4) Being with drug using peers
5) Sociodemographic variables including : younger age, less education, nonwhite
ethnicity, lack of employment
6) Stress
7) Psychiatric disorders often accompany drug abuse:
-Self medication hypothesis: drugs are taken to alleviate conditions such as anxiety
or depression
-Drugs cause psychiatric disorders
-shared susceptibility
8) Access to drugs (e.g. among medical professionals)
Tolerance - ANSWER: Decreased response to a drug after repeated exposure
, Characteristics of Drug Tolerance - ANSWER: 1) Degree of tolerance is dependent on
the frequency of drug use and the does, as well as environment in which drug is
taken
2) Tolerance can occur rapidly (LSD) or after long periods of chronic use
(Barbiturates) or never.
3) Not all effects of a drug show same degree of tolerance. It can be beneficial if for
side effects, but can be harmful if reverse occurs.
4) Multiple biological and behavioral mechanisms explain different forms of
tolerance.
5) Tolerance is reversible once drug use stops.
Physical dependence - ANSWER: Characterized by the occurrence of withdrawal
syndrome
Withdrawal Syndrome - ANSWER: Set of defined symptoms associated with a
decrease in the blood levels of a particular drug (SYMPTOMS TEND TO BE OPPOSITE
OF DESIRED EFFECTS)
Detox - ANSWER: Set of procedures designed to get a person through withdrawal
syndrome but does not address psychological dependence
Psychological dependence - ANSWER: Desire of compulsion to experience effects of
drug because it produces pleasure of reduces discomfort.
Cell Membrane Lipid Bilayer - ANSWER: Acts as a barrier to polar molecules and
charged ions.
Two main types of proteins - ANSWER: 1) Enzymes
2) Neurotransmitters
Ligand - ANSWER: A molecule that binds to a neurotransmitter receptor
Metabolism - ANSWER: Process of creating or destroying biological molecules
Metabolites - ANSWER: Are created when neurotransmitters and drug molecules are
broken down by enzymes.
Enzymes - ANSWER: Are responsible for creating and destroying molecules in the
body, including neurons inside and outside cells
Neurons - ANSWER: Main job is to receive and transmit signals/information in the
nervous system
Glia - ANSWER: Main job is to support neurons by providing structural support,
nutrients and protection
Introduction to Psychopharmacology 2nd Edition Prus
Test Bank
What is a definition for drug addiction? - ANSWER: Certain individuals use certain
substances in certain ways thought at certain times to be unacceptable by certain
other individuals for reasons both certain and uncertain.
What are characteristics of physical dependence? - ANSWER: Abstinence causes
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that lead someone to start taking that drug again.
Compulsive drug seeking and drug use - ANSWER: In an addict, this is driven by a
craving for more of a drug
Chronic relapse - ANSWER: An addict can have drug-free periods, but will relapse to
using the drug again, despite negative consequences.
Remission - ANSWER: When an addict goes through a drug-free period
Harrison Act of 1914 - ANSWER: Regulated dispensing and use of opioid drugs and
cocaine
18th Amendment - ANSWER: Banned the sale of alcohol
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - ANSWER: Established the schedule of controlled
substances and created the DEA
What are the risk factors for Drug Addiction? - ANSWER: 1) Heritability
2) Growing up in a family with a substance abusing parent
3) History of physical and emotional abuse
4) Being with drug using peers
5) Sociodemographic variables including : younger age, less education, nonwhite
ethnicity, lack of employment
6) Stress
7) Psychiatric disorders often accompany drug abuse:
-Self medication hypothesis: drugs are taken to alleviate conditions such as anxiety
or depression
-Drugs cause psychiatric disorders
-shared susceptibility
8) Access to drugs (e.g. among medical professionals)
Tolerance - ANSWER: Decreased response to a drug after repeated exposure
, Characteristics of Drug Tolerance - ANSWER: 1) Degree of tolerance is dependent on
the frequency of drug use and the does, as well as environment in which drug is
taken
2) Tolerance can occur rapidly (LSD) or after long periods of chronic use
(Barbiturates) or never.
3) Not all effects of a drug show same degree of tolerance. It can be beneficial if for
side effects, but can be harmful if reverse occurs.
4) Multiple biological and behavioral mechanisms explain different forms of
tolerance.
5) Tolerance is reversible once drug use stops.
Physical dependence - ANSWER: Characterized by the occurrence of withdrawal
syndrome
Withdrawal Syndrome - ANSWER: Set of defined symptoms associated with a
decrease in the blood levels of a particular drug (SYMPTOMS TEND TO BE OPPOSITE
OF DESIRED EFFECTS)
Detox - ANSWER: Set of procedures designed to get a person through withdrawal
syndrome but does not address psychological dependence
Psychological dependence - ANSWER: Desire of compulsion to experience effects of
drug because it produces pleasure of reduces discomfort.
Cell Membrane Lipid Bilayer - ANSWER: Acts as a barrier to polar molecules and
charged ions.
Two main types of proteins - ANSWER: 1) Enzymes
2) Neurotransmitters
Ligand - ANSWER: A molecule that binds to a neurotransmitter receptor
Metabolism - ANSWER: Process of creating or destroying biological molecules
Metabolites - ANSWER: Are created when neurotransmitters and drug molecules are
broken down by enzymes.
Enzymes - ANSWER: Are responsible for creating and destroying molecules in the
body, including neurons inside and outside cells
Neurons - ANSWER: Main job is to receive and transmit signals/information in the
nervous system
Glia - ANSWER: Main job is to support neurons by providing structural support,
nutrients and protection
