Drugs and the Developing Brain

Teratogens

chemicals or factors that have the potential to disturb the growth and development of an embryo or fetus when exposure occurs during pregnancy.

Tolerance

Diminished effect of a drug as a result of repeated/regular use, which leads to a need to take more of a psychoactive drug to produce the same effect.

Withdrawal

Unpleasant effects of reducing or stopping consumption of a drug after habitual use. Can be physiological (e.g., nausea and vomiting), behavioural (e.g. insomnia), or cognitive (e.g., mood alterations and anxiety).

Substance misuse

The use of any substance with the potential for causing harm to the individual using the substance, or to the people around them

Substance Use Disorder

A chronic , relapsing disorder characterised by prolonged and repeated substance use despite significant impairments to health and functioning. Substance can be needed to function "normally".

Intoxication

significant changes in physiology, behaviour and/or mood after taking a substance.

Substance

Any psychoactive compound that when used can lead to health and social problems.