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Pharmacology of Addictions Flashcards

7 cards from real LCDC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for the reinforcing effects of most addictive substances in the brain's reward pathway?

    Answer: Dopamine

    Dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway (nucleus accumbens) is the primary mechanism underlying the reinforcing and rewarding effects of addictive drugs.

  2. What is the primary mechanism of action of methadone in treating opioid use disorder?

    Answer: Full agonist at mu-opioid receptors with long half-life

    Methadone is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist with a long half-life (24–36 hours), which prevents withdrawal and reduces cravings without producing the rapid euphoric peaks of shorter-acting opioids.

  3. Which medication causes an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed and is used as a deterrent in treating alcohol use disorder?

    Answer: Disulfiram

    Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing acetaldehyde accumulation when alcohol is consumed, resulting in flushing, nausea, and palpitations.

  4. A drug's 'half-life' is best defined as:

    Answer: The time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the drug's concentration

    Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%, which determines dosing frequency and how long the drug remains active in the body.

  5. Which class of drugs produces CNS depressant effects primarily by enhancing the activity of GABA receptors?

    Answer: Benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines bind to GABA-A receptors and enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA, producing sedation, anxiolysis, and anticonvulsant effects.

  6. Cocaine primarily produces euphoric effects by:

    Answer: Blocking the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine

    Cocaine blocks monoamine reuptake transporters, increasing synaptic levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, with dopamine accumulation in the nucleus accumbens being most responsible for euphoria.

  7. Which FDA-approved medication blocks opioid receptors and is indicated for treating both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder?

    Answer: Naltrexone

    Naltrexone is a full opioid antagonist that blocks the reinforcing effects of both opioids and alcohol, and is approved for treating both substance use disorders.