Medications, Drugs, and Substance Abuse

Flashcards based on lecture notes about medications, drugs, and substance abuse.

Medications

Substances used to treat disease or relieve symptoms.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Medications sold without a doctor’s prescription.

Analgesics

A type of over-the-counter medication, commonly known as pain relievers.

Prescription Medications

Medications that can only be purchased with a prescription from a doctor or other licensed healthcare professional.

Antibiotics

Prescription medications used to fight bacterial infections.

Antivirals or Antifungals

Prescription medications used to fight viral or fungal infections.

Anesthetics

Prescription medications used to induce numbness or unconsciousness.

Antidepressants or Antipsychotics

Prescription medications used to treat mental health conditions.

Medication Misuse

The use of a medication in an unintended way; can be intentional or unintentional.

Medication Abuse

A persistent pattern of medication misuse that causes serious harm.

Depressants

Medications that stimulate the brain to release chemicals that slow nerve activity.

Barbiturates

A type of depressant medication.

Benzodiazepines

A type of depressant medication.

Sleeping Medications

A type of depressant medication used to treat insomnia.

Opioids

Prescription medications that contain a synthetic version of opium, used to relieve pain by turning off pain signals and stimulating the brain to release endorphins and dopamine.

Codeine

A prescription opioid used to treat pain and coughing.

Morphine

A powerful prescription opioid for pain.

Methadone

A prescription opioid for severe pain that does not cause euphoria.

Fentanyl

A prescription opioid that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.

Stimulants

Medications that cause the brain to release adrenaline; often referred to as speed, uppers, and vitamin R.

Cold Medications

Medications that reduce coughing and relieve congestion; many contain dextromethorphan (DXM or DM).

Dextromethorphan (DXM or DM)

A common ingredient found in cold medications.

Diet Pills

Medications that claim to help reduce weight by suppressing appetite or increasing metabolism.

Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

Drugs abused in hopes of improving strength, speed, and stamina.

Anabolic Steroids

Performance-enhancing drugs taken to enhance muscle growth, strength, and physical appearance.

Androstenedione

A performance-enhancing drug sometimes prescribed to promote growth, though it has no proven effect on athletic performance.

Human Growth Hormone

A performance-enhancing drug that helps build muscle, though it's not proven to increase muscle mass and strength in athletes.

Erythropoietin

A performance-enhancing drug that increases the production of red blood cells.

Diuretics

Performance-enhancing drugs that cause the body to pass water and salts in urine.

Creatinine

A substance used by the muscles during short, intense activity, sometimes taken as a performance-enhancing drug.

Drugs

Substances that cause a physical or psychological change in the body; often have no medical use.

Drug Abuse

Occurs when a person uses addictive, illegal drugs.

Marijuana

A drug made up of dried parts of the cannabis plant; the most commonly used drug in the US.

THC

The active ingredient in marijuana responsible for the drug’s high.

Cocaine

A highly addictive stimulant, which is a white powder that comes from the leaves of a coca plant.

Crack Cocaine

A solid substance processed from cocaine.

Methamphetamine

A powerful and extremely addictive illegal stimulant.

Crystal Meth

A common form of methamphetamine consisting of clear crystal chunks.

Bath Salts

Synthetic drugs that contain the stimulant methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV); 10 times stronger than cocaine.

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)

A stimulant contained in Bath Salts.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that change a person’s perception of reality.

DMT

An example of a hallucinogen.

Ketamine

An example of a hallucinogen.

LSD

An example of a hallucinogen.

Mescaline

An example of a hallucinogen.

Psilocybin

An example of a hallucinogen.

Heroin

A drug that comes from morphine.

Speedballing

The act of mixing heroin with crack cocaine.

Club Drugs

Several different types of drugs young people may abuse at parties, bars, festivals, and concerts.

Rohypnol® (Roofies)

A type of club drug that makes a person unable to move or respond to events.

GHB

A type of club drug that slows processes in the brain, causing an intense high and hallucinations.

MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)

A type of club drug that increases the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain.

Inhalants

Chemicals that people breathe to experience some type of high.