Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Practice Flashcards

Flashcards covering the classification of drugs, stages of addiction, neurotransmitters, and the effects of specific substances like alcohol and tobacco based on class notes.

Addiction

A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive behavior, harmful consequences, brain chemistry changes, and dependence.

Prescription Drugs

Drugs that require a doctor’s approval to take.

Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs

Drugs a person can buy from a pharmacy or store without a prescription.

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up the message from your brain to your body, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down the central nervous system, relax muscles, and impair judgment and coordination.

Hallucinogens

Psychoactive substances that significantly affect perception, mood, and thought, often distorting a person's sense of reality.

Inhalants

A broad group of substances that are inhaled, often everyday items like paint thinners or glue misused to get high.

Narcotics/Opioids

Drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain and produce effects like euphoria, sedation, and slowed breathing.

THC

The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces a high, can increase appetite, and may cause anxiety.

CBD

A component of marijuana that does not produce a psychoactive high and can help reduce anxiety or appetite.

Gateway Drugs

Habit-forming drugs—including alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, and prescription drugs—that may lead to further substance abuse.

Experimental Use

The first stage of addiction typically involving peers and recreational use, where the user may enjoy defying authority figures.

Regular Use

The second stage of addiction characterized by increased absenteeism, using drugs to "remedy" negative feelings, and isolation from family.

Daily Preoccupation

The third stage of addiction where drug use supersedes all prior interests and relationships, often involving secretive behavior or dealing drugs.

Dependence

The final stage of addiction where a person cannot face daily routines without drugs, experiences deteriorating physical health, and continues denial.

Prefrontal Cortex

The last part of the brain to fully develop, which controls decision making, planning, emotional regulation, and personality expression.

Limbic System

The emotional center of the brain that is fully developed in the teen years.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that send signals between brain cells (neurons).

Dopamine

The "reward chemical" important to the brain's pleasure system that motivates you to repeat enjoyable activities.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, emotional balance, and gut health.

Endorphins

Natural chemicals that reduce pain and create feelings of pleasure, released during activities like exercise, laughter, or eating spicy food.

Nicotine

The addictive drug found in tobacco leaves that increases blood pressure and constricts blood vessels.

Tar

A thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas in cigarette smoke that is taken up more readily by the blood than oxygen.

Carcinogens

Colorless, odorless, and poisonous chemicals that cause cancer; cigarettes contain 28 known varieties.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema, which is caused by the long-term effects of smoking.

Oxidation

The process used by the liver to break down alcohol.

Cirrhosis

A condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, preventing the liver from working normally.

Alcohol Poisoning

A condition caused by drinking too much alcohol, which slows brain function and can stop the gag reflex, leading to choking.

Dysfunctional Family

A family that is not operating properly, typically resulting from addiction or abuse.

Enabling

Doing for others what they could do for themselves, including covering for them to allow negative behaviors to continue.

Hero (Survival Role)

The "golden child" in a dysfunctional family who can do no wrong but struggles with fear of failure and control issues.

Scapegoat (Survival Role)

The "bad child" in a dysfunctional family who may be rebellious and struggles with rejection or shame.

Lost Child (Survival Role)

The quiet or ignored member of a dysfunctional family who struggles with locking emotions away.

Mascot (Survival Role)

The funny or immature member of a dysfunctional family who hides negative feelings and inadequacy with humor.

The 3 C's

The concept that you are not the CAUSE of someone's addiction, you can't CONTROL it, and you can't CURE it.

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

A recovery program for individuals struggling with alcoholism.

Al-Anon

A recovery program for people who have friends or family members with alcoholism.

Alateen

A recovery program for teens who have family members or friends with alcoholism.