8 - Forensic Aspects of Drug Abuse 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between cocaine and crack?

A
  • Crack = free base form of cocaine

- Crack burns at lower temp

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2
Q

Methods of cocaine ingestion

A
  • Smoking (most common b/c gives the best & fastest high)
  • IV
  • Snorting
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3
Q

Desired effects from cocaine

A
  • Intense euphoria
  • Decreased anxiety
  • Increased alertness
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4
Q

Other effects of cocaine

A
  • Increased BP and temp
  • Dilated pupils
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Rapid speech
  • N/V
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5
Q

Can tolerance develop from cocaine?

A

Yes

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6
Q

Can physiological and psychological dependence from cocaine?

A

Yes

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7
Q

Describe the phases of cocaine withdrawal

A
  1. Crash phase -> agitation, depression and irritability, intense cravings for cocaine, fatigue (lasts up to 4 days)
  2. Withdrawal phase -> increased anxiety, lack of energy, angry outbursts (lasts up to 10 weeks)
  3. Extinction phase -> episodic cravings for cocaine
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8
Q

Symptoms of cocaine induced delirium

A
  • Dissociative state
  • Violence
  • Exaggerated strength
  • Cardio-respiratory arrest
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Sudden death
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9
Q

What are the challenges with cocaine interpretation?

A
  • Enzymes in blood cause loss of cocaine
  • Cocaine + ethanol = cocaethylene (when people go through cocaine withdrawal, they use a depressant to counteract it; don’t necessarily ingest together but are found in the body together)
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10
Q

What is a key precursor for meth production?

A

Pseudoephedrine or ephedrine

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11
Q

Methods of ingestion of meth

A
  • Smoking (most common)
  • Snort
  • Inject
  • Swallow
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12
Q

Desired effects of meth

A
  • Euphoria

- Increased alertness/ energy

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13
Q

Duration of cocaine vs. meth

A
  • Cocaine = 20 minutes

- Meth = 4-12 hours

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14
Q

Other effects of meth

A
  • Tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Mental confusion
  • Irritability
  • Aggression
  • Hyperthermia
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15
Q

Can tolerance to meth develop?

A

Yes

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16
Q

Can physiological and psychological dependence with meth develop?

A

Yes

17
Q

What are the interpretation challenges with meth?

A
  • 2 isomers possible
    • “d” isomer = more pharmacologically active, more addictive and toxic
    • “l” isomer not addictive
18
Q

What are other names for MDMA?

A

Ecstasy, molly

19
Q

What properties does MDMA possess?

A

Hallucinogenic w/ stimulant properties

20
Q

How can MDMA be ingested?

A
  • Oral
  • Snorting
  • Smoking
  • Injection
21
Q

Desired effects of MDMA

A
  • Euphoria
  • Increased sense of well-being
  • Intensification of feelings
  • Overwhelming desire to communicate
  • Profound empathy
22
Q

Onset of MDMA

A

30-45 minutes if swallowed

23
Q

Other effects of MDMA

A
  • Feelings of panic
  • Depression
  • Mental confusion
  • Anxiety
24
Q

Can tolerance to MDMA develop?

A

Yes

25
Q

Can physiological and psychological dependence to MDMA develop?

A
  • Psychological can

- Physiological cannot

26
Q

Symptoms of MDMA toxicity

A
  • Increased HR, sweating
  • Muscle tension and cramping
  • Dry mouth, teeth grinding
  • Blurred vision, N, dizziness
27
Q

Symptoms of MDMA overdose

A
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Convulsions
  • Hyperthermia
  • Behavioural changes
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Acute renal and hepatic failure
28
Q

What are challenges with MDMA interpretation?

A
  • MDA is an active metabolite of MDMA

- Both drugs are psychoactive

29
Q

What is MDA?

A
  • Derivative of amphetamine
  • Metabolite of MDMA
  • Classified as hallucinogenic amine w/ stimulant properties
30
Q

Effects of MDA?

A

Similar to MDMA

31
Q

Other effects of MDA

A
  • Higher doses produce effects similar to LSD (hallucinations, distorted sensory perceptions, synesthesia – hear colours and see sounds)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleeplessness
  • Nausea
  • Blurred vision
32
Q

Symptoms of MDA overdose

A
  • Agitation
  • Tremor
  • Tachycardia
  • Hyperthermia
  • Convulsions, coma
33
Q

Effects of 2-CB

A
  • Range from increased sense of well being and increased confidence
  • To frightful hallucinations and delusions