Substance Use Disorders Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts and terms related to substance use disorders for exam preparation.

Addiction

A primary, chronic, neurobiological disease influenced by genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors, characterized by impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, and continued use despite negative consequences.

Substance Use Disorder

Occurs when an individual continues using substances despite cognitive, behavioral and physiological symptoms.

Dependence

A state of adaptation evidenced by a drug class-specific withdrawal syndrome produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, or decreasing blood levels of the drug.

Tolerance

A condition in which the body requires larger amounts of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal

Symptoms that occur when the amount of a drug is reduced or the drug is no longer available.

Intoxication

A condition caused by the administration of a psychoactive substance, resulting in disturbances in consciousness, cognition, perceptions, and behavior.

Toxicity

Injury to the body caused by taking excessive amounts of a drug leading to overdose, which can be fatal or non-fatal.

Delirium Tremens (DTs)

The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by altered mental state and severe autonomic hyperactivity.

CAGE Questionnaire

A screening tool used to detect alcoholism, where patients answer questions about their drinking habits.

SBIRT

An acronym for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, a method used for assessing and addressing substance use.

Naloxone (Narcan)

An opioid antagonist used to quickly reverse opioid overdose.

Opioid Agonists

Drugs that activate opioid receptors to relieve pain and induce euphoria (e.g., morphine, oxycodone).

Stimulants

A broad class of drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system, often used for performance enhancement or recreational purposes.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter a person's perception of reality, often causing hallucinations (e.g., LSD, psilocybin).

Harm Reduction

Practical strategies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use while accepting that drug use is part of society.