A SEMINAR ON

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF DRUG ADDICTION

BY,

DAWN V TOMY. (M.PHARM)

RVS COLLEGE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES,
SULUR

INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS
WHO DEFINITION A drug is any
substance or product that is used or
intended to be used to modify or explore
physiological systems or pathological
states for the benefit of the patient.

DRUGS OF
ABUSE
SF

NERVOUS
1.CENTRAL
SYSTEM.

SYSTEM
NERVOUS

2.PERIPHERAL
SYSTEM.

NERVOUS

A.
AUTONOMIC
SYSTEM.

NERVOUS

i. SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM.
ii. PARASYMPATHETIC SYSTEM.

B. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.

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NEURONS
Neurons are the basic unit of nervous
system.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS
EXCITATORY TRANSMITTERS.
GLUTAMATE, ASPARTATE.
INHIBITORY TRANSMITTERS.
GABA, GLYCINE.
OTHERS.
NORADRENALINE, ADRENALINE, DOPAMINE,
SEROTONIN, ACTYLCHOLINE, HISTAMINE,
ENDOCANNOBINOIDS - ENDOGENOUS OPIOID
PEPTIDES - ENKEPHALINS, ENDORPHINS,
DYNORPHINS.
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RECEPTORS

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DRUGS ON RECEPTORS

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SOME TERMINOLOGIES
Addiction [Substance abuse] =
Psychological + Physiological
dependence
Psychological = compulsive drug
seeking, craving
Physiological = symptoms and
signs opposite to drug.
Tolerance.
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SOME
TERMINOLOGIES
Reinforcement: Tendency of a pleasure-

producing drug to lead to repeated self

administration
Withdrawal- Drug is suddenly stopped
develop a withdrawal syndrome
characterized by craving, dysphoria,
signs of sympathetic overactivity.
Rebound - Drug- suddenly stopped their
symptoms come back in an exaggerated
fashion.
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ADDICTION
Addiction is a state in which a person
engages in a compulsive behavior, even
when faced with negative consequences.
The behavior is rewarded and reinforced
via the reward pathway.
A major feature of addiction is the loss of
control in limiting intake of the substance
or behavior.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease
resulting from fundamental changes in
the brain.
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YOUR BRAIN ON DRUGS

All addictive drugs produce their
effects by altering the synaptic
activity.

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DOPAMINE IS THE LINK IN ADDICTION

Addictive drugs are biochemically quite
different
Activate different neurotransmitter systems
Produce different psychoactive effects
Heroin acts on the opiate system
Nicotine acts on the cholinergic system
Cocaine acts on dopaminergic &
noradrenergic systems

All either stimulate dopamine release

(heroin, nicotine) or enhance dopamine
action (cocaine) in the nucleus
accumbens.
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THE REWARD PATHWAY

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THE REWARD PATHWAY

The reward pathway is in the limbic system
consisting of the nucleus accumbens, ventral
tegmental area (VTA) and the prefrontal
cortex.
The neurons of the VTA contain dopamine
which is released into the nucleus accumbens
and prefrontal cortex in response to natural
or artificial reward stimuli.
Stimulation of the reward pathway produces
highly pleasurable sensations, providing
positive reinforcement which promotes
further drug use.
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TYPES OF REWARD
SYSTEMS
Reward system is of 2 types.
1. Natural reward system.
2. Artificial reward system.

NATURAL rewarding stimulus (e.g., food, water, sex,

nurture) or ARTIFICIAL rewarding stimulus (e.g.,
drugs), information travels from the VTA to the nucleus
accumbens and then up to the prefrontal cortex.
VTA contain dopamine which is released in the
nucleus accumbens and in the prefrontal
cortex.
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DRUGS ACT IN DIFFERENT

PARTS OF THE PATHWAY
Heroin & nicotine act on the VTA.
These dopaminergic neurons have
both opiate and nicotinic
acetylcholine receptors.

Cocaine acts on the nucleus

accumbens.
The nucleus accumbens is a target of
the ascending dopaminergic axons in
the forebrain.
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Alcohol
Decreases the actions of the
excitatory NMDA receptor
complex, i.e., it diminishes
excitation.

Enhances GABA inhibition.

Reduces glutamate
excitation.
Enhances euphoric effects by
releasing Opiates and
endocannabinoids, thereby
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DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION

SELF
ABUSE:
REWARD
PATHWAY.
ADDICTION:
CHANGES
IN
THE
NEUROBIOLOGY OF THE
BRAIN
ON
REPEATED
ADMINISTRATION.
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THE MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINERGIC REWARD PATHWAY

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DRUG TOLERANCE
When a substance is used repeatedly
over time, tolerance may develop.
The brain adjusts its chemistry to
offset the effects of the drug and
tolerance develops.
As tolerance develops, more of the
drug is needed to produce the same
effects.
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SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE
Substance dependence develops when
neurons adapt to repeated drug use and
only function normally in the presence of
the drug.
When dependency develops, the brain has
become dependent upon the substance to
function.
Without the substance the user
experiences withdrawal and intense
cravings for the substance.
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REWARD DEFICIENCY
Prolonged drug use causes the
dopamine neurons in the reward
pathway to cease functioning.
This state of dopamine deficiency
causes the user to experience chronic
feelings of anxiety, depression and an
inability to just feel good.
The person can only feel normal when
under the influence of the drug.
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ADDICTION VS.
DEPENDENCE
It is possible to be dependent on a drug
without being addicted. Although, if one
is addicted they are most likely also
dependent.
For example; A terminal cancer patient
being treated with morphine for pain will
experience withdrawal if the drug is
stopped, but they are not a compulsive
user of the drug therefore they are not
addicted.
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THANK
HAVE A NICE DAY
YOU
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