Opiates and Opiate Related Compounds

Overview:  Opiates are a compound that have been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes including constipation and inducing sleep.  Later they have been used for pain relief (including psychological pain).  These drugs develop rapid tolerance and dependence.  In addition, a popular route of delivery for opiates has been injection and a related consequence, needle sharing.  Ultimately, injection use has significantly increased the prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis, and other STDs among users and the individuals they participate in sexual activities with.  

Goals.  This section is designed to provide you with information about the varieties of opiates, and drug use and its impact on high-risk behavior.  It also is designed to offer some potential but controversial solutions such as needle exchange programs. 

Objective:  

1.  To understand the concept of pain, and how opiates work to alleviate pain.  

2.  To understand some history of opioid use and terms associated with opioid use.

3.  To differentiate between different types of receptors associated with opioid use and the behavioral effects these receptors exert when occupied by opiate compounds.

4.  To understand the different types of opiates and the effects the exert.

KSA’s

3.            Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs including alcohol and tobacco on the consumer and significant others.

4.              Recognize the potential for substance use disorders to mimic a variety of medical and psychological disorders and the potential for medical and psychological disorders to co-exist with addiction and substance abuse.

5.         Be familiar with medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive diseases and other substance-related disorders.

102.      Describe warning signs, symptoms, and the course of substance use disorders.

Readings:  Julien, Edition 10, Chapter 15 (or Julien, Edition 11, Chapter

                   16) and Thompson, 159-175

Tasks:

1.      Review the material in Thompson.  Pay close attention to the concept of pain and how opiates alleviate pain.  Similar materials are found in the first couple of pages in Julien.  As you read the Thompson material, compare and contrast the concepts of addiction and the differences between stimulants, opiates, and alcohol.  Note the brain sites of action for these drugs.  Finally, review the figure on page 160.  Note the similarities between the compounds.

2.      Read Chapter 15 in Julien, Edition 10 (or Chapter 16, Edition 11).  Be able to differentiate between the various types of compounds derived from Opium.  Which compounds are more powerful, last the longest, can be purchased in a pharmacy, etc.  Be able to understand why might some drug addicts purchase cough medicine with Codeine?,

3.  Make sure you understand where various brain receptors are concentrated that are sensitive to opioids.  What happens behaviorally when these receptors are occupied by opioids.  How does that occupation contribute to a shutdown of body systems and ultimately death.

4.  Finally, answer the following study questions and send them to your instructor.   Questions 1, 3, 5, 10, 13.

Resources:

Review the NIDA website to get more information about specific types of opiates.  You should also review the CDC website (CDC.gov) for information regarding injection use, HIV/AIDS and related diseases.

Discussion  for Topic 7.