Summary: <p>Pharmacology of Opiates<br> Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director: AllCEUs.com Counseling Continuing Education<br> Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox, Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery</p> <p>Counseling and social work CEUs are available on Demand for this podcast at <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/search?q=opiates">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/search?q=opiates</a></p> <p>Objectives<br> ~ Examine the following for opiates<br> ~ Types of drugs<br> ~ The short and long term effect on the person<br> ~ Symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal<br> ~ Detoxification issues<br> ~ Current state of abuse<br> ~ Recommended treatments</p> <p>Side Note<br> ~ Method of administration greatly effects the intensity and duration of onset for various drugs<br> ~ Oral (slowest)<br> ~ Inhalation/Snorting<br> ~ Inhalation/Smoking<br> ~ Injection<br> ~ Rectal suppository<br> ~ Skin patches<br> Opiates<br> ~ Types of Drugs: Analgesic (pain killer); CNS Depressant</p> <p>How they Work<br> ~ Body naturally produces opiate-like substance Endogenous opioids<br> ~ Regulate pain perception<br> ~ Hunger<br> ~ Mood<br> ~ “Runners High”</p> <p>How they Work<br> ~ Opiates bind to the same receptors but are 50-1000 times stronger and…<br> ~ Reduce GABA (which regulates dopamine and anxiety) increase in Dopamine pleasure and possible energy & focus (norepinephrine (increased arousal from decreased GABA))<br> ~ Increase available serotonin levels (reduced anxiety/depression, improved pain tolerance)</p> <p>Neurotransmitter Review<br> ~ Dopamine<br> ~ Pleasure<br> ~ Energy, focus, motivation (norepinepherine)<br> ~ Reduced GABA<br> ~ Increased anxiety HPA Axis activation energy<br> ~ Increased anxiety during detox (warming a cold bath)<br> Opiates<br> ~ Tolerance starts to develop in 5-7 days<br> ~ Tolerance reversal also starts in only a few days<br> ~ Short term impact (up to 5 hours)<br> ~ Depends heavily on:<br> ~ The dose<br> ~ The route of administration<br> ~ Previous exposure</p> <p>Opiates<br> ~ Short term impact (up to 5 hours)<br> ~ Psychological: Euphoria, feeling of well-being, relaxation, drowsiness, sedation, disconnectedness, delirium.<br> ~ Physiological: Analgesia, depressed heart rate and respiration depression, constipation, flushing of the skin, sweating, pupils fixed and constricted, diminished reflexes</p> <p>Opiates<br> ~ Complications and Side Effects<br> ~ Medical complications among abusers arise primarily from adulterants and in non-sterile injecting practices<br> ~ Include skin, lung and brain abscesses, collapsed veins, endocarditis, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, death<br> Opiates<br> ~ Complications and Side Effects<br> ~ Alcohol or depressants such as benzodiazepines, hypnotics, and antihistamines increase the CNS effects of opiates<br> ~ Sedation/drowsiness<br> ~ Decreased motor skills.<br> ~ Respiratory depression, hypotension<br> Opiates<br> ~ Potentiation: Combining 2 drugs because one intensifies the other: Antihistamine + narcotic intensifies its effect, there by cutting down on the amount of the narcotic needed.<br> ~ Synergism: Two drugs taken together that are similar in action effect out of proportion to that of each drug taken separately, 1+1= 5<br> Opiates<br> ~ Long term impact<br> ~ Vein collapse<br> ~ Depression<br> ~ Brain changes/damage<br> ~ Reduction of the production of natural pain killers</p> <p>Opiates<br> ~ Symptoms of intoxication<br> ~ Constricted pupils<br> ~ Sleepiness or extreme relaxation<br> ~ Agitation<br> ~ Scratching and picking<br> ~ 20-25% of people get opiate itch. (remember that antihistamines potentiate opiates)</p> <p>O</p>
