Deck 15: Inhalants, GHB, and Anabolicandrogenic Steroids

Question 1

Which of the following is not a characteristic of abused inhalant drugs?

A) They must be volatile liquids or gases.
B) They are relative newcomers to the drug abuse scene.
C) The route of administration involves sniffing, inhaling, or spraying an aerosol.
D) While humans find inhalant drugs to be reinforcing, animals do not.

Answer 1

While humans find inhalant drugs to be reinforcing, animals do not.

Question 2

With regard to types of inhalants,

A) sources of aerosols include propane tanks, refrigerants, and butane lighters.
B) volatile solvents include adhesives, ink, and correction fluid.
C) nitrites such as "poppers" act directly on the brain to increase sexual arousal.
D) gases include hair sprays, deodorant sprays, and spray paints.

Answer 2

volatile solvents include adhesives, ink, and correction fluid.

Question 3

The immediate effects of volatile and gaseous inhalants are similar to those seen following use of

A) opiates.
B) cannabinoids.
C) alcohol.
D) indoleamine hallucinogens.

Answer 3

alcohol.

Question 4

Which statement does not support the idea that inhalants are addictive substances?

A) Inhalants cause a period of disinhibition or stimulation, followed by drowsiness.
B) Animals show a significant preference for the compartment in which they had been exposed to the inhalant toluene.
C) There is some evidence that there is a withdrawal syndrome from inhalants characterized by tremors, irritability, and sleep problems.
D) People repeatedly use inhalants in spite of the risk of brain injury, damage to other organs, and death.

Question 5

Why is it particularly difficult to study the mechanism of action of inhalants?

A) Scientists do not understand their absorption and distribution in the body.
B) There is tremendous chemical diversity in this group of drugs, and it is likely that they may work in different ways.
C) These substances have arrived recently on the drug abuse scene and most researchers have not considered their dangers serious enough to merit study.
D) It is very difficult to design inhalant studies in animals, and the number of human users is too small to generate significant data.

Question 6

Inhalants inhibit the CNS and impair behavior in a manner similar to

A) the cannabinoids.
B) alcohol.
C) the opioids.
D) GHB.

Question 7

All of the following are health risks of inhalant use except

A) fatal cardiac arrhythmia.
B) coronary heart disease.
C) damage to myelin sheaths surrounding axons.
D) subcortical abnormalities in the cerebellum, pons, and basal ganglia.

Question 8

Which statement regarding GHB or $\gamma$ -hydroxybutyrate is false?

A) It is structurally similar to GABA.
B) It was first studied by Laborit who was seeking a CNS depressant for therapeutic applications.
C) It produces sedation and anesthesia in animals and humans.
D) It is available over-the-counter for use as a sedative.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reason that GHB became controversial in the United States?

A) The FDA received reports of illnesses related to GHB, and subsequently banned over-the-counter sales.
B) Health food stores marketed GHB as an easy way to lose weight and enhance athletic endurance.
C) It enjoyed popularity as a recreational drug at nightclubs and raves, especially among teens.
D) It was synthesized from "home kits," circumventing attempts to control access to the drug.

Question 10

Which statement about "date rape" drugs is false?

A) They cause amnesia for the rape, which limits the ability to prosecute the rapist.
B) The government recently passed legislation to increase the penalties for sale or possession of these drugs.
C) The Drink Safe Coaster is a reliable way to test drinks for the presence of Rohypnol and GHB.
D) The pharmaceutical company has reformulated Rohypnol so that it turns blue when dissolved in alcohol to discourage its use as a "rape drug."

Question 11

Which of the following is not a symptom experienced following high doses of GHB?

A) Rapid respirations
B) Vomiting
C) Dizziness
D) Ataxia

Question 12

Animal studies designed to measure the reward value of GHB

A) have been consistent with human studies.
B) have shown positive findings in self-administration paradigms but not place-conditioning tasks.
C) have found even stronger evidence for the reinforcing effects of GHB than in human studies.
D) are inconsistent, with rodents showing positive findings and monkeys demonstrating variable results.

Question 13

Some researchers believe that GHB's effects are mediated by a specific receptor. Which statement about this proposed receptor is not accurate?

A) The receptor belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled metabotropic receptors.
B) The receptor's gene has not been cloned; therefore, the structure of the receptor is unknown.
C) The presence of a GHB receptor suggests the existence of endogenous GHB, which is in fact synthesized from GABA.
D) The highest level of binding for the receptor is in the cerebellum and brain stem.

Question 14

The core structure of anabolic steroids is formed by

A) oxandrolone.
B) nandrolone.
C) stanozolol.
D) testosterone.

Question 15

According to the history of anabolic steroid use,

A) the East Germans were the first to use these drugs as performance enhancers in weightlifting competition.
B) the United States did not administer these drugs to its elite athletes until the late 1980s.
C) Oral-Turabinol use by female athletes in the GDR was linked to many achievements and Olympic medals.
D) although these drugs have been abused by many professional athletes, very few college and high school athletes have access to them.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a reason that people who take anabolic steroids might engage in a pattern of use called cycling?

A) To allow time for the use of a second steroid
B) To avoid unpleasant side effects
C) To minimize the development of tolerance
D) To avoid detection of a banned substance

Question 17

Which statement regarding androgen receptors is false?

A) They are found in muscle tissue, where they increase protein synthesis and muscle growth when activated by androgens.
B) They are found in the cytoplasm of the cell.
C) They translocate into the cell nucleus when bound to an androgen.
D) When activated, they shut down gene transcription.

Question 18

Recent studies indicate that anabolic steroids promote the _______ and increase the production of _______.

A) differentiation of stem cells into muscle cells; cells that can become muscle fibers
B) synthesis of androgen receptors; testosterone
C) production of smooth muscle; testosterone
D) insertion of androgen receptors into the membrane; transcription factors sensitive to androgens

Question 19

Which statement concerning the side effects of anabolic steroids is true?

A) The masculinizing effects of steroids on women are reversible side effects.
B) The idea that steroids "stunt your growth" is merely a popular myth.
C) Common effects of steroid use include acne and cardiovascular problems.
D) Studies show that "roid rage" is a very common response to anabolic steroid use.

Question 20

According to the story of Mr. X and other case studies, which statement regarding "roid rage" is false?

A) It can involve extreme violence, even murder.
B) It doesn't occur unless there is a history of psychiatric illness.
C) It can occur for short periods of time in otherwise quiet and considerate people.
D) It seems to occur in a particularly susceptible subset of individuals.

Question 21

Dependence on anabolic steroids is

A) supported by many studies in the literature suggesting users meet most of the DSM criteria for substance abuse and withdrawal.
B) supported by the fact that many individuals are seeking help for problems stemming from anabolic steroid abuse.
C) shown in the strong cravings reported by users who are no longer taking steroid drugs.
D) shown in the report that even first-time steroid users find the drugs to be rewarding and desirable.

Question 22

What is known about the action of inhalants in the CNS? Are these substances reinforcing in the same manner as other drugs studied in this text? How do you know? Why are inhalants particularly difficult to study as a class of drugs?

Question 23

How is GHB typically consumed? Explain how the effects of GHB have led to its use as a "date rape drug." Name two other drugs that are also used in this manner. What can be done to protect against this type of threat?

Question 24

Describe the current knowledge regarding GHB binding sites in the brain. Consider both endogenous and exogenous GHB.

Question 25

Summarize the results of studies by Bhashin and colleagues that investigated the effects of testosterone on muscle size, muscle strength, and sexual function.

Question 26

Explain how anabolic steroids can lead to increased muscle mass. Include steroid action at the testosterone receptor and two additional mechanisms.

Question 27

Discuss what the literature and case studies have to say about the likelihood of anabolic steroids causing aggression and "roid rage." Is the case of Mr. X typical or not?