Drugs, Alcohol, and Nicotine Effects Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the pharmacological classifications, biological mechanisms, neurological impacts, health consequences, and legal parameters associated with alcohol, nicotine, and drug use.

Alcohol (classification)

Depressant drug.

Nicotine (classification)

Stimulant drug.

Drug dependence

When drugs become an essential part of your day in order for you to function.

Nucleus accumbens (nicotine response)

Nicotine activates reward system, dopamine fluids nucleus accumbens, makes you want to do it again

Drugs disrupt

communication system and the way nerves send, receive, and process info

Acute lung effects of vaping

Coughing, bronchitis, and shortness of breath.

Legal BAC limit (under 21)

None.

Legal BAC limit (over 21)

0.08.

Legal alcohol age

21

Route of administration (cigarettes and e-cigarettes)

Inhalation into the lungs that delivers nicotine to body

Cardiovascular effects of nicotine

Increaded heart rate and blood pressure, reduced blood flow to the skin, blood clot risk

Tolerance

the drug doesn't affect you

Withdrawal

What you experience when you go without the drug after being addicted

Addiction

When you feel like you need the drug to function.

Dependence

When you depend on the drug to feel normal

Alcohol absorption and degradation path

Enters the brain quickly, is degraded or broken down in the liver, and absorbed in the small intestine.

Increases inhibitory activity of

GABA receptors

Decreases excitatory receptors

Of glutamate receptors

Alcohol blocks

A glutamate receptor in the brain

Which neurotransmitter does nicotine mimic

GABA, increasing inhibitory activity of GABA receptor

Factors affecting BAC

Amount of fat vs muscle, and gender.

Additive in THC-containing vapes linked to EVALI.

Vitamin E acetate

EVALI

E-cigarette, vape, associated lung injury.

The route through which alcohol passes from a mother to a baby if she drinks while pregnant.

Umbilical cord

Synthetic nicotine

Type of nicotine produced in a laboratory.

Reward system (drug dependence effect)

Makes you want to feel the high of drugs again.