DRUGS

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 Drug – Target
Interaction

CLASSIFICATION
OF DRUGS BASED
ON

Pharmacological effects
DRUG
ABUSE
THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF
Drug Action DIFFERENT CLASS OF DRUGS

Chemical Structure
Antihistamine Antimicrobial

Molecular Targets Neurologically Antifertility

active drugs
Classification on the basis of
pharmacological effect
1. Antacids
They are bases that neutralize the increased amount of acids
in our stomach. Antacids include salts of aluminum,
magnesium, etc. This class of medicine is used to reduce
acid reflux, stomach ulcers, or acidity due to indigestion.
One of the most popular antacid tablets is ‘Ranitidine’.

2. Neurologically Active Drugs

Neurologically Active Drugs affect the mechanism of transfer of a message from the nerve to the receptor. They are
of two types: Tranquilizers and analgesics.
(a) Tranquilizers: Tranquilizers have a calming effect and eradicate both the physical and psychological effects of
anxiety, stress, irritability, or fear and help to induce a feeling of well-being. These drugs are recommended for short-
and medium-term use. These drugs form an important component of sleeping pills. For example, noradrenaline is
one of the neurotransmitters that play a vital role in mood changes.
If the level of noradrenaline is low due to some reason, then the signal-sending activity decreases, and the person
suffers from depression. To cure this, antidepressant drugs are required. Some tranquillizers, namely,
chlordiazepoxide, meprobamate, and etizolam, are suitable for relieving tension. Equanil is used to control
depression and hypertension.
(b) Analgesics: Analgesics are a class of drugs that help us to achieve ‘analgesia,’ i.e.
relaxation from pain. They are also known as pain killers.
They are divided into two classes: Non-narcotic Analgesics, Narcotic Analgesics

Non-narcotic Analgesics – They are also known as non-addictive analgesics. The most
famous examples of this class of drugs are aspirin and paracetamol. Aspirin, chemically
known as acetylsalicylic acid, is used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation.
Paracetamol is also used to treat moderate pain, body aches, and fever. They are also
known as ‘antipyretics’. Antipyretics override the secretion of prostaglandin in the
hypothalamus to reduce the body temperature, which results in a reduction of fever.

Narcotic Analgesics – Narcotic analgesics interact with specific opiate receptors and produce
desired pharmacological effects like they reduce fever and induce sleep. They may prove to be
fatal if these drugs are taken in poisonous doses. Morphine narcotics (obtained from the opium
poppy) are chiefly used to get relief from postoperative pain, cardiac pain, and pain of
childbirth, cancer, and many more.
3. Antihistamines
Most of the allergy symptoms are treated by a class of drugs known as ‘antihistamines’.
They are most commonly used by people who are allergic to pollen and other allergens.
These drugs help to treat conditions caused by too much histamine (a potent vasodilator) in
our body’s immune system. Synthetic drugs like brompheniramine (Dimetapp),
hydroxyzine, viruses and antihistamines.

4. Antimicrobials
Antimicrobials are a group of medicines that stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria,
fungi, viruses, etc. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria, antivirals are used
against viruses, and antifungals are used against fungi.
(a) Antibiotics: Antibiotics are taken to fight against bacterial infection in our body. They are widely used due to
their low toxicity to human beings and animals. Though various antibiotics were in use earlier, the real revolution
in antibacterial therapy was brought by the discovery of antibacterial properties of a Penicillium fungus by
Alexander Fleming in 1929.1929.
Based on the range of wars fought against bacteria, antibiotics are classified as broad-spectrum antibiotics and
narrow-spectrum antibiotics. For example, Ampicillin, Amoxycillin, Chloramphenicol, etc.
(b) Antiseptics and Disinfectants:
Both Antiseptics and disinfectants kill microorganisms, but
the primary difference between them is that an antiseptic is
applied to the living body. In contrast, disinfectants are
applied to non-living surfaces to kill germs. A commonly used
antiseptic is Dettol; it is a mixture of chloroxylenol and
terpineol. Chlorine and phenol solutions are known as
disinfectants.

5. Antifertility Drugs
These drugs are chemical substances that suppress the effect of hormones that promote pregnancy
by inhibiting ovulation. These antifertility drugs actually reduce the chances of pregnancy and act as
conception. Antifertility drugs are made up of synthetic progesterone derivatives or a combination of
derivatives of estrogen and progesterone. These drugs have brought a great revolution in controlling
the population. For example, Norethisterone, Noristerat etc.
Classification of
Drugs on the
Basis of drug
action
I. Drug action via a receptor:
a) Agonists: Ligands that bind to a receptor and produce an appropriate response are
called agonists. For example, the catecholamine adrenaline is an agonist at β-
adrenoceptors. When it binds to βadrenoceptors in the heart, it increases the heart
rate.
b) Antagonists: Ligands that prevent an agonist from binding to a receptor and thus
prevent its effects are called antagonists. Antagonists do not themselves have any
pharmacological actions mediated by receptors. For example, propranolol, a β-
adrenoceptor antagonist, binds to β-adrenoceptors in the heart and prevents
catecholamine-induced tachycardia (for example in response to exercise). However,
in the absence of an agonist propranolol has no effect via adrenoceptors.

c) Partial Antagonists:  partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only
partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display
both agonistic and antagonistic effects—when both a full agonist and partial agonist are present, the partial
agonist actually acts as a competitive antagonist, competing with the full agonist for receptor occupancy and
producing a net decrease in the receptor activation observed with the full agonist alone.
d) Inverse Agonists: An inverse agonist is a compound that
binds to a receptor and produces a pharmacological response
that is opposite to that of the corresponding agonist. An agonist
increases the activity mediated by a receptor; an inverse agonist
reduces it. In the presence of the agonist the inverse agonist acts
as an antagonist. An ordinary antagonist can inhibit the actions
of both agonists and inverse agonists

II. Drug action via Non-Receptor Mechanisms:

a) Drug action via indirect alteration of the effect of and endogenous agonist:Just as an antagonist can
produce a therapeutic effect by directly opposing the action of an endogenous agonist, so the effects of an
endogenous agonist can be altered in indirect ways.
b) Drug action via the inhibition of transport processes:Because the transport and disposition of cations
(such as sodium, potassium, and calcium) and of other substances (such as organic acids in the kidneys and
neurotransmitters in the nervous system) play so many important roles in the maintenance of normal cellular
functions, inhibition of their transport is an important type of mechanism of drug action. The following are
examples of the ways in which drugs may act through inhibition of transport processes.
c) Drug action via enzyme inhibition: Many types of drug action can be produced by inhibition of enzymes, and the
precise action will depend on the role that the inhibited enzyme plays in normal function. The following are illustrative
examples of the ways in which drugs may act by inhibiting enzymes. Cholinesterase—neostigmine, Xanthine oxidase
—allopurinol, Phosphodiesterases—xanthine, milrinone, sildenafil etc.
d) Drug action via enzymatic action or activation of enzymes: Genetic diseases that are due to enzyme deficiencies
should theoretically be susceptible to treatment by replacement of the enzyme or the gene. However, gene replacement
therapy has so far proved disappointing and enzyme replacement therapy is limited by the difficulty of delivering
enzymes to their sites of action.
e) Drug action via other miscellaneous effects:
(i) Chelating agents : Drugs that chelate metals can be used to hasten the removal of those metals from the body,
example: calcium sodium edetate, dimercaprol chelates etc.
(ii) Osmotic diuretics : Mannitol is a hexahydric alcohol related to mannose, and an isomer of sorbitol. It is freely
filtered at the renal glomerulus but is reabsorbed to only a small extent by the renal tubules. It therefore increases the
concentration of osmotically active particles in the tubular fluid and takes water with it, thus increasing urine volume.
It has no other pharmacological effects
Classification
on the basis of
Chemical
Structure
I. Class: Beta Lactum Antibiotics
Molecular structure : Contains beta lactum ring
Activities :
i. Kills bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
ii. First such antibiotic was penicillin
Examples :
iii. Penicillin
iv. Cephalopoins
v. Augmentin

II . Class : Benzodiazepine
Molecular structure : Have fusion of benzene ring and diazepam ring
Activities :
i. Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, alcohol, withdrawal and seizures.
ii. It is also used to relieve muscle spasms and to provide sedation before
medical procedures.
Examples:
I. Diazepam (Valium)
II. Clonazepam (Klonpin)
III. Class: Cardiac glycoside
Molecular structure : Contains a steroid molecule attached to a
sugar(glycoside) and an R group.
Activities :
i. Cardiac glycosides are medicines for treating heart failure and
certain irregular heartbeats.
Examples :
ii. Digoxin
iii. Digitoxin

IV. Class: Fibrate Activities :

Molecular structure : i. Most commonly prescribed to reduce
triglyceride levels.
ii. Regarded as broad-spectrum lipid lowering
drugs.
Examples :
iii. Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
iv. Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
v. Fenofibrate (Triglide)
V. Class: Opoid VI. Class: Thiazide diuretics
Molecular structure : Molecular structure : Sulphur containing
organic molecules.

Activities : Activities :
i. Act on the nervous system to i. To treat high blood pressure
relieve pain. and congestine heart failure.
Examples : Examples :
ii. Codeine ii. Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
iii. Morphine iii. Chlorothalidone
VII. Class: Steroids
Molecular structure : Molecular structure of 17 carbon atoms arranged in 4 rings.

Activities :
i. The main treatment for certain inflammatory conditions such as systemic vasculitis and
myositis.
ii. They may also used selectively to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid,
arthritis or gout.
Examples :
iii. Prednisone
iv. Prednisolone
Classification of
Drugs on the Basis
of Molecular
Targets
Drugs target the macromolecules inside the body to generate a biological response. They
usually interact with biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids. These are called target molecules or drug targets.
Drugs possessing some common structural features may have the same mechanism of
action on targets. The classification based on molecular targets is useful for medical
chemists (or during clinical trials) so that they can design a drug that is most effective
for a particular receptor site.

The four main targets for drug action: receptors, ion channels, enzymes, carrier molecules. In each of these four cases,
most drugs are effective because they bind to particular target proteins. Examples: many enzymes, receptors in cells
have molecular targets.
The site on which the drug acts is called receptor. Usually, a protein or protein material acts as a receptor.
a) Enzymes as drug targets: Enzymes catalyze the multistep chemical
reactions and act as a target for drugs for the desired therapeutic effect. Drugs either inhibit them or activate them.
b) Receptors as drug targets: Receptors are molecular targets through which
drugs produce their beneficial effects in various disease states.
Drug – Target Interaction
 Drugs are chemically synthesized chemicals which control, prevent, cure and diagnose various
diseases and illness. They do so by reacting with various macromolecules in the human body and
elicit some form of positive biological response. In pharmaceutical terms this macromolecule whose
function is actively modified is called as the drug target.

o Enzymes as Dug targets

a) Catalytic action of enzymes – the enzymes during catalytic activity mainly performs two major functions.
i. Their essential functions is to be biological catalysts for certain reactions occurring in the body. They
regulate these chemical reactions but themselves remain undeflected by them. The molecules which
interact with the enzymes are called substrates. The reaction produces more new molecules known as
products. The enzymes hold the substrate firmly in that active site. This allows the reagent to react with
the substrate successfully. The enzymes hold the substrate by a variety of interactions such as : H-
bonding, ionic bonding, Vander Waals force etc.
ii. The other function of the enzyme is to provide functional groups that will react with the substrates to
carry out the necessary chemical reactions that support all our life process.
Drugs are chemically synthesized chemicals which control, prevent, cure and diagnose
various diseases and illness. They do so by reacting with various macromolecules in the
human body and elicit some form of positive biological response. In pharmaceutical
terms this macromolecule whose function is actively modified is called as the drug
target.

o Enzymes as Dug targets

a) Catalytic action of enzymes – the enzymes during catalytic activity mainly performs two major
functions.
i. Their essential functions is to be biological catalysts for certain reactions occurring in the body.
They regulate these chemical reactions but themselves remain undeflected by them. The
molecules which interact with the enzymes are called substrates. The reaction produces more
new molecules known as products. The enzymes hold the substrate firmly in that active site.
This allows the reagent to react with the substrate successfully. The enzymes hold the substrate
by a variety of interactions such as : H-bonding, ionic bonding, Vander Waals force etc.
ii. The other function of the enzyme is to provide functional groups that will react with the
substrates to carry out the necessary chemical reactions that support all our life process.
o Drug-Enzyme Interaction
At certain situations the actions of enzymes needs to be controlled and we do
this with the help of drugs known as enzyme inhibitors. Here the enzyme will be
the target; i.e., the drug will try to impede with the functioning of the enzyme.
This can be done in two ways :

i. Some drugs will reveal the substrate by attaching themselves to the active site of the
enzyme, they are called competitive inhibition. This will not allow the substrate to attach
itself to the enzyme, and so the reaction will not occur. But if the concentration of the
substrate is far greater than that of the drug, such a method will not work successfully
ii. Then the inhibitors known as allosteric inhibitors will attach itself to the allosteric site of
enzymes. This is any other site than the active site. Now the substrate cannot recognize the
enzyme and won’t attach itself to the active site, thus inhibiting the catalytic reaction.
o Receptors as Drug Targets :
Receptors are proteins that are crucial to body’s communication process. Majority of these are embedded in cell
membranes. Receptors are embedded in such a way that their small part possessing active site projects out of the
surface and opens on the outside region of the cell membranes.
In the body message between two neurons and that between neurons to muscles is communicated through certain
chemicals. These are known as chemical messengers. When a chemical messenger approaches the receptor it bends to
the active site of the receptor and its shape changes. This transmits a signal or message to the cell, so the message will
be relayed without the chemical messenger even entering the cell.
There are a large number of different receptors in the body which interact , these receptors show selectivity for one
chemical messenger over the other because their binding sites have different shape, structure and amino acid
composition. This allows the receptors and the messengers to interact with selectivity.
The drugs that target these receptors do so by impeding its natural functioning. They attach to their active site and
inhibit their actions and block the communication of the message, these are known as antagonists.
Examples : Naltrexone and Naloxone.
There are other types of drugs that mimic the natural messenger. This activates the natural messenger. This activates
the receptors and will produce some kind of biological response from receptors are called as agonists. They are useful
.
when these is a lack of natural chemical messengers
Therapeutic action of different
class of drugs
 Antihistamines
Histamine is a biologically active substance that potentiates the
inflammatory and immune responses of the body, regulates
physiological function in the gut and acts as a neurotransmitter.
Antihistamines are drugs that antagonize these effects by blocking
or inhibiting histamine receptors (H receptors).

WHAT ARE ANTIHISTAMINES USED FOR?

Antihistamines are medications that block chemicals in the body called histamines. Histamines are the
chemical that gets released after you are exposed to something you are allergic to. They cause the symptoms
of an allergic reaction, like : Itchiness, hives, Runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, Insomnia, Nausea, vomiting,
Fatigue.
There are two different types of histamines H-1 receptors antagonists and H-2 receptor antagonists. Typically,
antihistamines that treat H-2 receptor antagonists treat gastrointestinal symptoms. Both first-generation and
second generation antihistamines treat H-1 receptor antagonists.
WHAT ARE FIRST-GENERATION WHAT ARE SECOND-GENERATION
ANTIHISTAMINES ? ANTIHISTAMINES ?
First-generation antihistamines become available for Second-generation antihistamines were first developed
general use in 1942 and are still used today. These in the 1980s. They cause less sleepiness than first
antihistamines work by affecting the histamine generation antihistamines and also interact with fewer
receptors in the brain and spinal cord. One of their medications.
defining characteristics, though, is that they go through Some examples of second-generation antihistamines
the blood-brain barrier and can cause sleepiness. include :
Some examples of first-generation antihistamines » Claritin » Allegra
include : » Zyrtec » Clarinex
» Nyquil You can take second-generation antihistamines orally,
» Tylenol cold and cough Nighttime nasally or via eye dropper. They typically last for up to
» Periactin
These antihistamines » effect
start to take Chlor-Trimeton
in about 30 to 24 hours. They are able to reduce the inflammation
60 minutes and last for four to six hours. The most caused by allergies and are favored both because they
popular first-generation antihistamine is have fewer side effects and can be more effective in
chlorpheniramine. treating allergy symptoms.
 Neurological Active Drugs
Drugs that have a neurological effect, i.e. the drugs that affect the message
transfer mechanism from nerve to receptor is called Neurological active drugs.
Tranquilizers and analgesics are neurological active drugs.

Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are a class of chemical compounds used to treat stress and mild or even severe mental
distress. These relieve anxiety, stress irritability or excitement by inducing a sense of well being. The
form an essential component of sleeping pills. There are various tranquilizers that function by different
mechanism.
Noradrenaline is a kind of neurotransmitter that play an important role in mild changes. If the level of
noradrenaline is low, then the signal sending actively becomes low and the person suffers from
depression. In such situations, an antidepressant drugs are used.
The drugs inhibit the enzymes which catalyzes the degradation of noradrenaline.
If enzyme is inhibited, neurotransmitter is slowly metabolized and can
be activate its receptor for longer period of time, thus contracting the
effect of depression. Iproniaazid and phenelzine are two such drugs
Some tranquilizers namely, Chlordiazepepoxide and meprobamate are
relatively mild tranquilizers suitable for relieving tension. Equanil is
used in controlling depression and hypertension. Some derivatives of
Barbetuaric acid called Barbiturates are hypnotics, i.e. sleep producing
agents. Some substances used as tranquilizers are valium and
Serotonin.

Analgesics
Analgesics reduce or finish the pain without causing impairment of
consciousness, mental confusion, incoordination or paralysis or some
other disturbances of nervous system.
They are classified as follows :
i. Non-narcotic(non-addictive) analgesics.
ii. Narcotic Drugs.
i. Non-Narcotic Analgesics ii. Narcotic Analgesics
Aspirin and paracetamol belong to the class Morphine and many of its
of non narcotic analgesics. Aspirin is the homologous, when administered in
most common example. It inhibits the medical doses, relieve pain and
synthesis of chemicals known as produce sleep. In poisonous doses,
prostaglandin which stimulate
these produce stupor, coma,
inflammation in tissue and cause pain.
These drugs are effective in relieving convulsions and ultimately death.
skeletal pain, such as that due to arthritis.
These drugs have many other effects such
as reducing fever and preventing platelet Morphine narcotics are sometimes
coagulation. Because of its anti-blood referred to as opiates, since they are
clotting actrons, aspirin finds its use in
obtained from the opium poppy.
preventing heart attacks.
Aspirin is toxic is toxic for liver and These narcotics are used for the
sometimes cause bleeding from stomach. relief of postoperative pain, cardiac
So naproxen and paracetamol are widely pain and pains of terminal cancer
used. and in child birth
 Antimicrobials
WHAT ARE ANTIMICROBIALS ?
An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.
Antimicrobials can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily
against. For example, antibiotics are used against, bacteria, antifungal are used against
fungi.
They can also be classified by their The use of antimicrobial medicines to treat injections is
functions, Agents that kill microbes are known as antimicrobial chemotherapy, while the use of
microbicides, while these that merely inhibit antimicrobial medicines to prevent injection is known
their growth are called bacteriostatic agents. as antimicrobial prophylaxis

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CLASS OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS ?

Disinfectants – which kill a large no of microbes on non-living surfaces t o prevent illness.
Antiseptics – applied to living tissue and helps to reduce infection during surgery.
Antibiotics – Destroy microorganism within the body
Sulfanides
Term used to be restricted antibacterial.
Fluoroquinolones
WHAT ARE THE COMMON EXAMPLES OF ANTIMICROBIALS ?
While this is not the exhaustive list and then there are other natural substances that have antimicrobials properties,
these are examples of antimicrobials that we use in our technology portfolio :
• Silver ion antimicrobials
• Zinc antimicrobials
• Organics

Silver ion Antimicrobials Zinc Antimicrobials

Silver has been used as an example of Zinc pyrithione tech technology is a very durable
antimicrobial agent since Hippocrates first example of an antimicrobial. Durability test shows
described silver’s antimicrobial properties that polymers soaked for 2000 hours 70oC in a
in 400 B.C. However, it wasn’t until 1972 detergent bath containing 300 ppm Zptech
that scientists understood how silver work. remained 99.99% effective in preventing the
Small amount of silver disrupts bacterias growth of Klebsiella pneumonia , a gram negative
metabolism by preventing it from bacteria associated with hospital acquired
converting into energy, which inhibits injections. Zinc pyrithione was first developed in
bacteria survival, reproduction and the 1930s for its antizonal and bacterial properties.
colonization.
  Antifertility Drugs
Antifertility drugs are chemical substances which suppress the action of hormones that promote
pregnancy. These drugs actually reduce the chances of pregnancy and act as protection.
Antifertility drugs are made up of derivatives of synthetic – progesterone or a combination of
derivatives of estrogen and progesterone.
Antifertility drugs are actually synthetic hormones. When progesterone pills are taken, the mucus
in the cemix gets thickened. This makes it very difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize
the egg and hence chances of pregnancy are reduced.
Progesterone is a hormone which suppresses ovulation in women. The synthetic progesterone
derivatives are some more potent as compared to natural progesterone.
Examples :
i) Norethisterone
Norethisterone, also known as norethindrone and sold under many brand name, is
a progestin medication used in birth control pills, menopausal hormone therapy,
and for the treatment of gynecological disorders. The medication is available in
both low-dose and high-dose formulations and both alone and in combination with
an estrogen. It is used by mouth or, as norethisterone enanthate, by injection into
muscle.
Drug class : Progestogen (medication); progestin
Chemical formula : C20H26O2

ii) Ethinylestradiol
Ethinylestradiol (EE) is an estrogen medication which is used widely in birth
control pills in combination with progestines. In the past, EE was widely used for
various indications such as the treatment of menopausal symptoms, gynecological
disorders, and certain hormone-sensitive cancers. It is usually taken by mouth but
is also used as a patch and vaginal ring
Drug class : Estrogen
Chemical formula : C20H24O2
Side Effects of Estrogen :
I. Uterine Bleeding
II. Gall stones
III. Nausea / vomiting
IV. High coagulation factors – Thrombosis – deep vein Thrombosis
V. Na+ / H2O retention – edema
VI. Worsen – Hypertension / Migraine
VII.Cancer – high risk of uterine cancer
low risk of colon cancer, ovarian cancer (estrogen in OCP)

Side Effects of Progesterone :

I. Acne, Atherogenesis – due to androgenic effect – seen with estranges.
II. Break through bleeding, breast engorgement
III. Cycle irregularities
IV. Depression, decreased Libido
V. Edema ( Na+ / H2O retention )
DRUG ABUSE
Drug abuse, known also as substance abuses i.e. the use of drugs in amounts or methods which are harmful to the
individual or others. It is a form of substance related disorder/ Differing definition of drug abuse are used on
public health, medical and criminal justice context. In some cases criminals or anti-social behavior occurs when
the person i.e. under the influence of drugs and long-term personality changes in individuals may also occur . In
addition to possible, social and psychological harm, the use of some drugs may also lead to criminal penalties,
although these vary widely depending on local jurisdiction.
Drugs most often associated with this term include : alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines,
cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, methaqualone and spoids. The exact cause of substance abuse is not clear, but
there are two predominant theories; either a genetic predisposition or a habit learned from others which if
addiction develops, manifests itself as a chronic debilitating disease.
Depending the actual compound, drug abuse including alcohol may lead to health problems, social problems,
morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, physical
dependence or physiological addiction.
Severe anxiety and depression are commonly induced by sustained drug abuse. Even moderate alcohol use may
increase anxiety and depression levels in some individuals. In most case, these drug-induced psychiatric disorder
fade away with prolonged abstinence. Similarly, although substance abuse induces many chances to the brain there is
evidence that many of these alterations are reversed following periods of prolonged abstinence.

Impulsivity
Impulsivity is charcterised by actions based on sudden desires, whims or inclinations rather than careful thought.
Individuals with substance abuse have higher levels of impulsivity and individuals who use multiple drugs tend to
be more impulsive. A number of studies using the lower gambling task as a measure for impulsive behavior found
that drug using populations make more risk choices compared to healthy controls.

Screening and Assessment

The screening and assessment process of substance use behavior is important for the diagnosis and treatment of
substances abuse disorder. Screeners is the process of identifying individuals who have or may be at risk for a
substance use behavior to help determine appropriate treatment. Assessments usually require specialized skills
and are longer to administer than screeners.
There are several screening tools that have been
validated for use with addscents such as the CRAFT
screening test and in adults the CAGE questionnaire.
THE
END