PSY14 Alcohol

Alcohol Pharmacology
1. Enhancement of inhibitory transmission - via ❌ (G coupled K+ channels)
2. Inhibition of excitatory transmission - ❌
3. Secondary effects on ❌ systems, second messengers
4. Effects on ❌ release in Nucleus Accumbens may mediate reward, dependence liability

Alcohol PK
• Rapid ❌
• Dose proportional ❌
• ❌ elimination

Alcohol PD/Alcohol metabolism
- Alcohol to Acetaldehyde via ❌* and CYP2E1
- Acetaldehyde to Acetic Acid via ❌
-Acetic Acid to ❌

*Alcohol DH is ❌ limiting.

Factors Affecting Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
1. How much alcohol is consumed
2. How ❌ alcohol is consumed
3. ❌ (heavier = lower BAC, lightweight is a literal...)
4. ❌ will have higher BACs than men because of lower body water content
5. ❌ slows down the speed at which alcohol isabsorbed in the body, and also reduces peak BAC.
6. ❌ will have higher BACs than younger people because of lower body water content.
7. Alcohol ❌ (diluted vs concentrated) may affect absorption
8. ❌ that slow down stomach emptying (e.g. opioids) will reduce peak BAC

BAC ❌% - drink driving limit
BAC ❌% - impaired perception, cognitive function, slower reaction times
BAC ❌% - amnesia, nausea
BAC ❌% - coma, death

Substance use disorders - epidemiology
1. Alcohol abuse: ❌% prevalence, highest user group ❌ years, higher in ❌
2. Alcohol dependence: ❌% prevalence, highest user group 16–24 years, higher in males

Tolerance:
• reduction in response to a drug after ❌ administration
• receptor/second messenger ❌
• acute vs chronic tolerance
• may lead to increased intake to get desired effects

Dependence:
• ❌ drug-taking behavior; loss of ability to ❌ use; intrusion into ❌ activities; + tolerance + withdrawal

Withdrawal:
• rebound ❌ effects upon cessation or reduction of drug intake
• symptoms usually ❌ to those produced by drug (e.g. insomnia, anxiety - BDZs, alcohol; sedation, depression - cocaine

"Types" of alcoholism:
Type 1 (~75%):
Genetic link ❌. Tend to start drinking heavily in ❌ to setbacks, losses, or other outside circumstances. Equal in male and female. Tend to feel ❌, shy, pessimistic, emotionally dependent. Drinking alcohol helps ❌ strong emotions (anxiety, depression).

Type 2 (~25%)
Genetic link ❌. Onset <❌y. They drink ❌ of what 's happening in their lives and often have a history of fights and arrests. More common in ❌. More sensation- and novelty-seeking, more ❌ and less ❌. Polysubstance abuse is common as part of an antisocial lifestyle.

Cheaper alcohol, greater availability shifts the Ledermann curve shape to the ❌, meaning more ❌ are consumed per drinkers.
Dearer alcohol, less availability shifts the Ledermann curve shape to the ❌, meaning ❌ drinkers but ❌ litres consumed.

Drug treatment of drug/alcohol dependence:
Substitution treatment:
• ❌ for opioid dependence
• ❌ for smoking
Anti-craving medication:
• ❌ for alcohol dependence
Antagonist/aversive medication:
• ❌ for alcohol dependence

Most effective options for treating dependence are ❌.
Most effective options for preventing dependence are ❌

The 5+ Solution For Alcohol
1. Raise alcohol ❌
• increase tax, minimum price per standard drink
2. Raise the ❌ age
3. Reduce alcohol ❌
4. Reduce ❌ and advertising
5. Increase drink-driving ❌