CADC exam prep Ch 1 (Addiction
Counselor's Desk Reference) Latest
Solved Update 2022
Opiates - A category of psychoactive drugs that are chemically
... [Show More] similar to morphine and
have strong pain-relieving properties.
- Opiates cross into blood-brain barrier to produce a rush/feelings of euphoria.
- Significant respiratory complications, death, cardiac depression.
- Physical dependence develops dramatically as soon as regular use begins
(sometimes even when its administered clinically appropriate).
Withdrawal symptoms include: restlessness, irritability, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and
gooseflesh.
Subcutaneous - Injection of medication in a liquid form underneath the skin into the
subcutaneous tissue
GABA - inhibitory neurotransmitter slows or calms things down.
Heroin (Opiate) - - Naturally occurring substance extracted from seedpod of various
poppy plants.
- 1898 - commercially marketed as new pain remedy
- 1914 - designated as controlled substance under the Harrison Narcotic Act
- Schedule 1 drug.
- Route of administration: smoked, snorted, or IV. Greatest intensity and most rapid
onset of euphoria (7-8 sec) from IV. Peak effects felt by 10-15 min.
- Crosses the blood-brain barrier, converts to morphine, and rapidly binds to opioid
receptors in brain.
- Serious adverse health side effects: fatal OD, collapsed veins, cardiac depression,
and blood-borne infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, Hep C) + societal consequences such
as disruptions in family, work place, etc.
- Significant increase of OD (slow, shallow breathing, convulsions, coma) &/or death.
- Street heroin often cut with various other substances (sugar, starch, strychnine, etc)
that do not dissolve when injected and cause more issues in body.
- Major withdrawal symptoms peak btw 48-72 hours after last dose. Subside in about a
week.
Fentanyl (Rx Opiate) - - Commonly used and abused agent
- Exists in 2 formulations: 1. Injectable form used with other agents during anesthesia, &
2. A skin patch used as a sustained-release form to treat pain.
Various other Rx Opiates - - Morphine, meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl: most commonly
appear as prepared injection forms that have been diverted from legal medical use. May
be injected either IV or subcutaneously (skin popping)... [Show Less]