1. How drugs of abuse disrupt cellular communication
Cells Talking Smack:
How drugs of abuse disrupt cellular communication
From Research to Rehab: A Town Hall Meeting on Substance Use and Young People
Dr. Tricia Hardt Smith
Copyright © Dr. Tricia Smith 2016

2. What we know about Drugs & Addiction…? ? ? ? ? ?
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

3. But first, let’s take a closer look…?
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

4. Extracellular signal molecules:
hormones, neurotransmitter, DRUGS!
Cells TALK!
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

5. Receptors Adapt! Leads to drug tolerance! Can lead to drug dependence!
Figure by T Hardt Smith. Introduction to Neuroendocrinology © Cambridge Press
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

6. Q: What happens when we take away the drug?
Repeated Administration
Control
Q: What happens when we take away the drug?
A: WITHDRAWAL
Zastrow et. al. (1996) The Journal of Biological Chemistry
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

7. Drugs cause real, measurable changes at the cellular level!
Every time we take a drug, any drug, we change how our cells behave!
We can’t ‘get it out of our system!’
Addiction is not something cells can ‘snap out of’!
It’s no longer about the high or the consequences!
During addiction & withdrawal we need medical help!
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

8. Receptors can Recover!
The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(23):
© Tricia H. Smith PhD.

9. Questions?