Euphoria and Addiction

Following withdrawal of meperidine after administration of large doses to former morphine addicts for 10 weeks, the signs of abstinence w ere somewhat more severe than those observed after withdrawal from codeine (6). Clinically insignificant abstinence syndromes developed after 75 mg. of meperidine three times daily for 3 months w hile clinically significant syndromes occurred after administration of 75 mg. four times daily for 2 months followed by 75 mg. eight times daily for 2 w eeks. After adminis- 

Abstinence phenomena after withdrawal from meperidine hydrochloride are milder, come on more rapidly, and subside somewhat more quickly than the phenomena after withdrawal of morphine (50). Meperidine possesses addiction liability which is of a lower order than that of morphine. Yet 5 deaths occurred among the 32 cases of meperidine addiction which Polonio (6) summarized. Meperidine is dangerous when taken in amounts to satisfy dependence. Tremors, toxic psychoses, and convulsions were noted during experimental addiction to meperidine (6, 50). 

Addiction to meperidine is much more common than is addiction to codeine. Meperidine will produce physical dependence in individuals who have never been addicted to morphine, as well as in former morphine addicts. Although physical dependence is milder, the toxic effects of meperidine are so pronounced that meperidine addiction is even more undesirable than addiction to morphine (6, 50). 

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Morphine binds strongly to this receptor and produces analgesia. Receptor binding also leads to the undesired side-effects of respiratory depression, euphoria, and addiction. We can now see why it is so difficult to remove the side-effects of morphine and is analogues, since the receptor with which they bind most strongly is also inherently involved with these side-effects. 

Opiates used as antidiarrheals generally do not cross the blood-brain barrier well. They therefore produce peripheral effects, such as slowing of the bowel, but central effects Ce.g.. euphoria and addiction) are not manifested at therapeutic doses. 

Atropine is added to discourage abuse—in large quantities these opiate drugs can still produce euphoria and addiction, but, if these quantities include atropine, the patient also gets uncomfortable effects such as tachycardia, dry mouth, and urinary retention. In smaller amounts (i.e.. with therapeutic dosage of the drug), atropine also serves to block the parasympathetic effects produced by the opiate (e.g., miosis and increased peristalsis). 

Euphoria and Addiction. About 200 mg. of meperidine in post-addicts are required to produce euphoria equivalent to that from 30 mg. of morphine. Meperidine, 200 mg., sharply reduced the intensity of abstinence phenomena after rvithdrawal from a daily dose of 300 mg. of morphine. Two hours after the meperidine, the intensity of the abstinence phenomena again increased to reach pre-meperidine levels in 10 hr. (90). 

Diphenoxylate HCI (2.5 mg) and atropine (0.025 mg) are combined in tablets or 5 mL liquid and are used effectively as symptomatic treatment for diarrhea. The typical dose is two tablets or 10 mL every 3 to 4 hours. The combination with atropine enhances the block of acetylcholine-stimulated peristalsis, and the adverse effects of atropine helps to limit the abuse of the opioid. The combination is Schedule V under the Controlled Substances Act. Diphenoxylate itself has low p opioid agonist activity. It is metabolized rapidly by ester hydrolysis to the zwitterionic free carboxylate (difenoxin), which is five times more potent after oral dosing. The zwitterionic properties of difenoxin probably limits its penetration into the CNS and explains the low abuse potential of this agent. High doses of diphenoxylate (40-60 mg) will cause euphoria and addiction. 

Codeine. Is a narcotic derived from morphine and is addictive. It can be purchased over the counter, but you will have to sign for it. Sometimes you will have to show identification. It creates feelings of euphoria and weightlessness with doses of about 50 to 150 mg. It can also be made much more potent by hydrogenating to dihydrocodeinone as instructed in the analgesic chapter in this book. 

Amphetamines are synthetic sympthetomimetic amines that are powerful CNS stimulators, of few of which, in particular dextroamphetamine (8.1.2.2) and methylphenidate (8.1.2.6), are sometimes used for treating depressive conditions. They elevate mood, stimulate motor activity, vigilance, and allow one to concentrate better. However, depending on the dosage and personality of the patient, it may cause various degrees of euphoria, which frequently leads to dependence and addiction. 

Crack Cocaine Street Names Freebase. Mexican speedballs (crack w/ methamphetamine), roosten tornado (ovct 40 street slang terms) Use Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The tOTn crack ref s to the crackling sound heard when it is heated Actions CNS stimulant induces euphoria. Highly addictive Effects Acute CV or cerebrovascular emergencies (heart attack or stroke), could result in sudden death. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by resp arrest (see also Cocaine)... 

Patients whose first episodes of mania or bipolar depression occur between ages 30 to 60 years appear to have clearer episodes of mood disorder, have mania characterized by euphoria and irritability (rather than irritability alone), and be less likely to develop substance addiction (though they may engage in substance abuse as part of their acute episodes). Although psychosis occurs frequently and can be severe, in such late-onset cases confusion with other disorders is usually not a problem. Finally, this more classical presentation is generally responsive to lithium (Carlson, 2000). 

Haertzen, C.A. and Hickey, J.E., Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) measurement of euphoria and other drug effects, in Methods for Assessing the Reinforcing Properties of Abused Drugs, M.A. Bozarth, Ed., Springer-Verlag, New York, 1987. 

The opium narcotics used in the U.S. are, particularly, morphine and heroin, especially the former but juveniles definitely prefer heroin. Heroin has greater addiction liability than other narcotics, produces more euphoria and stimulation, requires smaller doses, and is easier to traffic in illicitly. Codeine addiction is rare because the drug produces relatively little euphoria, and is thus less desirable to the potential addict, and because it is quite expensive and bulky in effective amounts. Codeine addicts are usually persons who originally received the drug for clinical purposes. Many narcotic addicts also use cocaine, usually in combination with heroin, and resort to whisky or barbiturate when their supply of narcotic is low. Every conceivable method and route are used to get the narcotic into the body. Morphine and heroin, however, are ordinarily taken hypodermically or intravenously cocaine and heroin are employed by snuffing. The use of galenical preparations of opium is rare in the U.S. Occasionally, however, a paregoric addict is discovered. 

Meperidine shows certain relationships to both morphine and atropine in its action. Similar to morphine, it exerts a generalized depression of the CNS but, in ordinary doses, does not affect the cough reflex. Similar to morphine, it induces euphoria, and its continued use leads to tolerance and addiction. However, its euphoric and sedative effects are less than that of morphine addiction due to meperidine is more serious than that due to morphine. Meperidine is an effective analgesic,... 

The inhalation of moderate concentrations of TCE induces a state of euphoria and may lead to addiction (ref. 63a). In pregnant women, the inhalation of TCE results in its rapid diffusion across the placenta (ref. 63b). 

Narcotics (opiates and opioids) are natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic derivatives of the opium poppy. Drugs such as morphine, codeine, heroin, methadone, Darvon, and Percodan fall into this category. They are all depressants, but they are also potent painkillers, and except for heroin (which is illegal) they are prescribed to relieve pain and to control coughing and diarrhea. But because of their pleasurable effects and addictive properties, they can cause problems when taken for nonmedical reasons. Most nonmedical users take these drugs to experience euphoria, to avoid pain, and to relieve withdrawal symptoms. —... 

Methamphetamine (MAP) is a psychostimulant that induces enhanced arousal and euphoria acutely, and psychosis and addiction chronically. MAP enters the terminals/neuron via the monoamine transporters (dopamine transporter DAT, serotonin transporter SERT, or norepinephrine transporter NET), displaces... 

Oxycodone OxyContin , Roxicodone 5 mg every 6 hours Often combined with aspirin (Percodan ) or acetaminophen (Percocet , Roxicet, Tylox ) is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream when crushed into a powder-, produces profound euphoria and often addiction... 

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