Drug Addiction Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to drug addiction.

Drug

Any substance that causes a change in the body when taken in.

Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs that can pass the blood-brain barrier and affect the nervous system.

Agonists

Drugs that act like natural chemicals in the brain.

Antagonists

Drugs that block normal brain signals.

Tolerance

The body becomes less sensitive to a drug over time.

Metabolic tolerance

Less drug reaches the brain.

Functional tolerance

The brain becomes less responsive.

Withdrawal

Opposite effects of the drug when stopped, indicating physical dependence.

Addiction

Continuing to use a drug even when it harms your health or life.

Nicotine

An addictive substance in tobacco that binds to acetylcholine receptors and causes dopamine release.

Alcohol (ethanol)

A depressant that slows down brain activity, lowers self-control, and affects balance and breathing.

Cocaine

A stimulant that blocks dopamine reuptake, leading to high dopamine levels and increased brain activity.

Opiates (heroin, morphine)

Drugs that bind to pain-relief receptors, causing euphoria by mimicking endorphins.

Neurons

Nerve cells in the brain that send electrical signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical signals released at the axon terminal that travel across the synapse and bind to receptors on another neuron's dendrite.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed, ending the signal.

Reuptake Inhibitors

Prevent reuptake of neurotransmitters from the synapse, increasing their effect on receptors.

Psychoactive drugs

Drugs that change our consciousness, mood, and perception.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down the central nervous system.

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up the central nervous system.

Hallucinogens (aka psychedelics)

Drugs that cause distorted perceptions and sensory experiences.

Opiates (aka opioids)

Drugs that can act like depressants but also have a pain-reducing (analgesic) effect.

Consciousness

Your awareness of yourself and your environment.

Alcohol

Most common depressant, slows the sympathetic nervous system, disrupts REM sleep. reduces self-control.

Barbiturates

Older class of depressants used to help sleep or reduce anxiety.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos)

Most commonly prescribed depressants, used for anxiety, sleep, or seizures, enhancing GABA.

Caffeine

Increases alertness; found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks.

Nicotine

Found in cigarettes; increases heart rate and alertness, suppresses appetite.

Cocaine

Strong stimulant, triggers massive release of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Amphetamines & Methamphetamines

Release dopamine, meth creates a long-lasting euphoria.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Hybrid drug: Part stimulant, part hallucinogen. Increases dopamine and serotonin, creates euphoria, Heightened sensory experiences.

LSD (Acid)

Classic or “prototypical” hallucinogen, Mostly causes visual hallucinations affects serotonin pathways.

Marijuana (THC)

Considered a mild hallucinogen, but also has depressant-like effects, impairs motor skills and coordination.

Homeostasis

Your body strives to maintain balance (e.g., heart rate, temperature).

Intoxication

The effects of a drug when it enters your body, affecting how you feel and behave.

Withdrawal

Symptoms when you stop using a drug after long-term use. These can be uncomfortable or even dangerous.

Substance-Induced Disorders

Health problems caused by drug use, like mood changes, anxiety, sleep problems, or psychosis.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

When drug use affects your life negatively (e.g., work, school, relationships).

Dependence

When your body gets used to the drug, and you need more to feel the same effects (called tolerance).

Tolerance

The need for more of a drug over time to feel the same effect.

Drug Abuse

Clinically called Substance Use Disorder, involves using drugs that affect the body and brain, leading to harmful effects.