The Neuron and Neural Firing: Substance Use Disorders and Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs

chemical substance that alters the brain, changes in perception and mood

substance use disorder

continued substance use despite significant life disruption

Diminished control

1. Uses substance for longer or more than prescribed

2. unsuccessfully tries to regulate use of substance

3. spends lots of time acquiring, recovering, or using substance

4. craves the substance

Diminished control

1. use disrupts social commitments

2. continues despite social problems

3. reduced social and community activities

Hazardous use

1. continues despite hazards

2. continues despite worsening physical and psychological effects

Drug action

1. Experiences tolerance

2. Experiences withdrawal

Depressant

reduce neural activity and slow. body functions

Stimulant

excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Hallucinogens

distort perceptions and evoke sensory images

Alchohol

Depressant, initial high followed by relaxation, depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

Heroin

Depressant, rush of euphoria and relief from pain, depressed physiology, loss of natural endorphin function

Caffeine

Stimulant, increases alertness, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses.

Nicotine

Stimulant, arousal and relaxation with sense of well-being, heart disease and cancer

Cocaine

Stimulant, euphoria and confidence with energy, heart stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

Methamphetamine

Stimulant, euphoria, alertness, energy, irritability, insomnia, hypertension, and seizures

Ecstasy

Stimulant (mild hallucinogen) Emotional elevation, disinhibition, dehydration overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning

LSD

Hallucinogen, visual trip, risk of panic

Marijuana

Mild hallucinogen, enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation, impaired learning and memory, risk of psychological disorders