chapter 9 vocab

Acute Poisoning

A high dosage of poison given over a short period of time

Addiction

A physical process and change in behavior associated with drug use whereby a person craves a drug, and failure to take the drug can result in withdrawal symptoms

Chronic Poisoning

A low dosage of a drug given over a long period of time

Controlled Substances

A drug or chemical compound whose manufacture, distribution, possession, and use are regulated by law

Controlled Substances Act

A law that established penalties for possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and established five schedules for drug classification

Dependency

A powerful craving for a drug that could lead to addiction

Depressant

A substance that decreases or inhibits the nervous system, reducing alertness

First Step Act

A law that reduced penalties of drug use, possession, and distribution for those in federal prison

Hallucinogen

A drug that changes a person’s perceptions and thinking

Illegal (illicit) drug

A drug that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness

has limited or no medical use and is listed under Schedule I of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act

Metabolite

A byproduct formed during metabolism of a chemical

Narcotic

An addictive, sleep-inducing drug often derived from opium that acts as a CNS depressant and suppresses pain

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger produced by one neuron that binds to the next neuron to either stimulate or inhibit communication within the nervous system

Poison

A natural or manufactured substance that can cause illness or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin

Stimulant

A substance that affects the nervous system by increasing alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevating blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration

Tolerance

A condition occurring with consistent use of one drug whereby a person needs more and more of the drug to produce the same effect

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause illness

Toxicologist

A specialist performing tests and analyses on drugs, toxins, poisons, or chemicals present in the body

Toxicology

The study of drugs, poisons, toxins, or chemicals and other substances that harm a person when used for medical, recreational, or criminal purposes

Toxin

A substance naturally produced that can cause illness or death in humans

Withdrawal

Physical and mental symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing intake of a drug