Pharmacology, Drug Use, Abuse, and Addiction

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to pharmacology, drug use, abuse, addiction, and related topics from the lecture notes.

Substance

A generic term for any chemical compound.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical substance released at the end of a nerve fiber that transmits signals across synapses.

DSM-5-TR

The most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2022.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for judgment, planning, and impulse control.

Limbic System

The part of the brain that handles survival, emotion, and reward.

Agonist

A substance that fits a receptor and activates it, producing a response.

Antagonist

A substance that fits in a receptor but prevents the native neurotransmitter from working.

Substance Dependence

A cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating continued substance use despite significant negative health outcomes.

Intoxication

The development of a reversible syndrome due to recent ingestion or exposure to a substance.

Withdrawal

Symptoms that occur upon reducing or stopping the intake of a substance after dependence is established.

Caffeine

A substance that acts as an antagonist to adenosine receptors and has controversial addiction potential.

Nicotine

A highly addictive substance derived from the nightshade family of plants that acts as an agonist for acetylcholine receptors.

Opioids

A class of drugs derived from poppy plants, which mimic endogenous opioid-like molecules and can lead to dependence and overdose.

Fentanyl

A synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and a major contributor to overdose crises.

Persistent Perceptual Disorder

A condition triggered by some psychotropic drugs that causes altered perception even after the drug is eliminated from the body.

Detoxification

The first step in treating substance-related disorders, aimed at addressing intoxication.

Contingency Management

A behavioral strategy that rewards individuals for reducing substance use.