PSY341 Chapter 12 Key Terms

alcohol

most commonly used and abused depressant drug

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

a self-help organization that provides support and guidance for people with alcohol use disorder

amphetamine

A drug that stimulates the central nervous system

aversion therapy

A behavior therapy in which an aversive stimulus is paired with a stimulus that elicits an undesirable response, such as taking drug that makes you vomit when you drink alcohol

barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

benzodiazepines

The most common group of antianxiety drugs, which includes Valium and Xanax.

caffeine

a stimulant drug found in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and many over-the-counter medications

cannabis drugs

Drugs produced from the varieties of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. They cause a mixture of hallucinogenic, depressant, and stimulant effects.

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

cross-tolerance

tolerance for a substance one has not taken before as a result of using another substance similar to it

delirium tremens (DTs)

A severe withdrawal syndrome seen in alcoholics who are deprived of ethyl alcohol; characterized by restlessness, fever, sweating, disorientation, agitation, and seizures; can be fatal if untreated.

detoxification

systematic and medically supervised withdrawal from a drug

endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

hallucinogen

A drug that distorts perception, thought, and mood

heroin

narcotic drug derived from opium that is extremely addictive

Korsakoff's Syndrome

an alcohol related disorder marked by extreme confusion, memory impairment, and other neurological symptoms

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

marijuana

a drug, often smoked, whose effects include euphoria, impairment of judgment and concentration and occasionally hallucinations; rarely reported as addictive

methadone maintenance program

a treatment approach in which clients are given legally and medically supervised doses of methadone - a heroin substitute - to treat heroin-centered substance use disorder

methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

morphine

narcotic drug derived from opium, used to treat severe pain

nalaxone

opioid antagonist used to treat and overdose (Narcan)

opioid

opium or any of the drugs derived from opium, including morphine, heroin, and codeine

relapse-prevention training

a cognitive-behavioral approach to treating alcohol use disorder in which clients are taught to keep track of their drinking behavior, apply coping strategies in situations that typically trigger excessive drinking, and plan ahead for risky situations and reactions

residential treatment center

A mental health facility where psychiatric treatment is provided in a home-like environment with less medical involvement

reward circuit

a dopamine-rich circuit in the brain that produces feelings of pleasure when activated

sedative-hypnotic drug

A drug used in low doses to calm people and in higher doses to help people sleep. Also called an anxiolytic drug.

substance intoxication

a cluster of temporary undesirable behavioral or psychological changes that develop during or shortly after the ingestion of a substance

substance use disorder

long-term maladaptive behavior patterns and reactions caused by repeated substance use

synergistic effect

combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the effect of each drug alone

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

the main active ingredient of cannabis substances

tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug