| Term | Definition |
|---|
| drug | chemical substance that can alter structure and function of body |
| psychoactive drug | drug that alters behavior, thought, or perceptions; affects nervous system; most cross the blood–brain barrier |
| dopamine | neurotransmitter in the brain that causes pleasure; many drugs cause a huge increase in its production |
| blood-brain barrier | system that keeps harmful substances from entering the brain |
| neurotransmitters | chemicals in the brain that can affect behavior and thoughts |
| tolerance | requiring more of a substance to achieve the same effect |
| withdrawal | physical response that happens when one does not take a drug they are addicted to |
| addiction/substance dependence | uncontrollable, compulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences |
| substance abuse | the continued use of a drug despite social, legal, or health problems; doesn't require person to be addicted |
| reward pathway | area of the brain that, when stimulated, leads the person to want to repeat a behavior (e.g., eating, drinking, sex, nurturing, taking drugs) |
| depressants | drugs that relax and calm a user, induce sleep at higher doses, and depress brain activity |
| ethanol | the active ingredient in alcohol |
| factors that affect absorption of alcohol | food consumption, body weight/build, gender |
| alcoholism | means the same as alcohol addiction to alcohol dependence |
| alcohol addiction | means the same as alcohol dependence or alcoholism |
| alcohol dependence | means the same as addiction to alcohol or alcoholism |
| delirium tremens (DTs) | during alcohol withdrawal, severe confusion and physical shaking |
| symptoms of alcohol withdrawal | severe cravings, delirium tremens (DTs) |
| alcohol-related diseases | heart disease, mouth and throat cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis |
| opiates | drugs that derive from the opium poppy, act as pain killers, occupy endorphin receptors, cause euphoria; also known as narcotics |
| endorphins | chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural pain relievers; opiates mimic their effects |
| examples of natural opiates | opium, morphine, codeine |
| examples of semi-synthetic opiates | heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin |
| how heroin is used | injected, snorted, smoked |
| heroin street names | H, smack, junk |
| "cutting" a drug | mixing in other substances to reduce a drugs purity |
| short-term effects of heroin | euphoria, flushing of skin |
| long-term effects of heroin | addiction, collapsed veins, organ damage |
| stimulants | drugs that cause an elevation in mood, alertness, blood pressure, and heart rate; reduce fatigue and appetite |
| caffeine | drug found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, some nuts, some medicines |
| people most likely to smoke | people aged 18-44; men; people with less education; American Indians/Alaskans; people living in poverty |
| nicotine | active ingredient in tobacco |
| forms of tobacco | "dip," chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, pipes |
| nicotine replacement therapy | things like nicotine gum, lozenges, and patch that supply nicotine without the cancer causing chemicals; help smokers quit |
| cocaine | drug that comes from the coca plant; first made in mid-1800s; can lead to heart disease and a damaged septum |
| street names for cocaine | blow, snow, nose candy |
| amphetamines | stimulants that can cause altered thoughts such as paranoia, and schizophrenia-like symptoms; in the past were used as appetite supressants |
| methamphetamine | similar to amphetamines, but stronger; often made in home labs; |
| street names for methamaphetamine | speed, ice, meth, crystal meth |
| meth mouth | the decaying of teeth due to decreased saliva production in methamphetamine users |
| hemp plant | where marijuana comes from |
| THC | active ingredient in marijuana |
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