REVIEWED: PED1003 L16 DRUGS OF ABUSE (TBC: 20:03)
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
What is drug abuse?
Use of drugs for non-therapeutic purposes
What are drugs of abuse?
Drugs that have the potential to be used for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e.,
recreationally)
What do all drugs of abuse have in common? How do they differ?
Different chemical classes that act on different molecular targets
BUT
(directly or indirectly) all trigger increase in dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway
(reward pathway; ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens)
Provides the user with a high or a pleasurable feeling (thus, can lead to physical and/or
psychological dependence through repeated use)
What is the key difference between physical and psychological drug
dependence?
, Physical dependence is characterised by physiological adaptations to drugs that lead to
withdrawal symptoms (e.g., tremors, nausea, seizures) when the drug is removed (thus,
drug use is primarily motivated by the need to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms)
WHEREAS
Psychological dependence is characterised by compulsive cravings and drug-seeking
behaviour driven by the perceived benefits of the drug to the individual (e.g., euphoria,
anxiety relief)
Which type of drug dependence is primarily associated with dopamine-driven
reinforcement? Why?
Psychological dependence
BECAUSE
Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens reinforces drug use by creating
pleasurable effects (or reducing negative emotions)
AND
Repeated drug use induces synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal
cortex and amygdala that strengthens compulsive drug-associated cues and
compulsive behaviours (thus, drug-seeking behaviour can be observed in the absence
of physical withdrawal)
What is the mesolimbic pathway?
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
What is drug abuse?
Use of drugs for non-therapeutic purposes
What are drugs of abuse?
Drugs that have the potential to be used for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e.,
recreationally)
What do all drugs of abuse have in common? How do they differ?
Different chemical classes that act on different molecular targets
BUT
(directly or indirectly) all trigger increase in dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway
(reward pathway; ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens)
Provides the user with a high or a pleasurable feeling (thus, can lead to physical and/or
psychological dependence through repeated use)
What is the key difference between physical and psychological drug
dependence?
, Physical dependence is characterised by physiological adaptations to drugs that lead to
withdrawal symptoms (e.g., tremors, nausea, seizures) when the drug is removed (thus,
drug use is primarily motivated by the need to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms)
WHEREAS
Psychological dependence is characterised by compulsive cravings and drug-seeking
behaviour driven by the perceived benefits of the drug to the individual (e.g., euphoria,
anxiety relief)
Which type of drug dependence is primarily associated with dopamine-driven
reinforcement? Why?
Psychological dependence
BECAUSE
Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens reinforces drug use by creating
pleasurable effects (or reducing negative emotions)
AND
Repeated drug use induces synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal
cortex and amygdala that strengthens compulsive drug-associated cues and
compulsive behaviours (thus, drug-seeking behaviour can be observed in the absence
of physical withdrawal)
What is the mesolimbic pathway?
