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Option 1: Psychoactive Drugs and Their Effects on theBrain

Your roommate Gretchen has had chronic pain issues since shebroke her back in a car accident about a year ago. You know thatshe finished her prescription pain killers at least three monthsago, but you’re suspicious she’s been taking something else. Quitefrequently you find Gretchen passed out in her room, and when sheis awake, she doesn’t seem to care about much. She stopped going toclass and says her pain is way better than it was a few months ago.You got really worried last week when you found a syringe laying onthe bathroom floor and then found out from your landlord thatGretchen never paid her share of the rent. What drug is Gretchenon?

Choose at least 4 of the following questions todiscuss:

1. What drug has the individual in this case been using? Whatled you to believe this?

2. What are the subjective effects of the drug (i.e., what has aperson reported feeling after using the drug)?

3. What receptors, transporters, or neurotransmitters could beinvolved? How does the drug affect these receptors, transporters,or neurotransmitters?

4. Provide at least one relevant website concerning the drug inquestion.

5. Is this drug addictive? What are the consequences ofcontinued use of this drug?

6. Putting yourself in the role of a professional counselor orbiological psychologist, what advice do you have for concernedfamily or friends of someone using this drug?