Module 25: Psychoactive Drugs

What is a substance use disorder?

Continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

What is a psychoactive drug?

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

What two factors does a drug’s overall effect depend on?

Its biological effects and the psychology of the user’s expectations

What is tolerance?

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug

What does tolerance lead to?

The user taking larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

What is addiction?

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite known adverse consequences

What is withdrawal?

The discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

What are the three major categories of psychoactive drugs?

Depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens

What are depressants?

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow bodily functions

What are three examples of depressants?

Alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates

What are the three main negative effects of alcohol?

Slowed neural processing, memory disruption, and reduced self-awareness and self-control

What is an alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

What are baribiturates?

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

What are baribiturates commonly prescribed for?

Inducing sleep or reducing anxiety

What are opiates?

Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

What are two examples of opiates?

Heroin and morphine

What are stimulants?

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions

What are three examples of stimulants?

Caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamines

What are three examples of amphetamines?

Cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy

What is arguably the most addictive stimulant?

Nicotine

What is nicotine?

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

What is cocaine?

A powerful and addictive stimulant that produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

What is a methamphetamine?

A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system

What is ecstasy?

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy

What are hallucinogens?

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

What is LSD?

A powerful hallucinogenic drug

What is the near-death experience?

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death that is often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

What is THC?

The major active ingredient in marijuana that triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations