4.3 psychoactive drugs: alchohol, nicotine, and psychostimulants

psychoactive drugs

any drug that affects the nervous system, including prescription drugs used in treatment for psychological disorders as well as recreational drugs, such as caffeine, alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis

alcohol use disorder aud

common disorder where a person is addicted to alcohol

nicotine 

a highly addictive psychoactive drug found in cigarettes, cigars, vaping, pipes and chews 

psychostimulants 

class of psychoactive drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and drugs used to treat adhd, such as Ritalin

stimulate nervous system and increase arousal

some can be highly addictive 

cocaine

psychostimulant drug that increases dopamine activity, stimulates arousal, and can be highly addictive

methamphetamine

extremely addictive psychostimulant made from two forms of amphetamine 

drugs used to treat adhd

adderall and ritalin

psychoactive drugs are 

any drugs or medications that affect the nervous system and behavior

includes prescribed medication like antidepressants and recreational drugs like cocaine 

alcohol (ethanol) is a

GABA agonist and the most commonly consumed recreational drug besides caffeine

also ranks at top of many lists as most destructive drug to individuals and society

alcohol use disorder can result in

many health and cognitive-related problems

withdrawal from alcohol is severe and can be dangerous

nicotine is a 

highly addictive drug, and its use is associated with the leading cause of preventable deaths 

while smoking tobacco use has been on the decline for the past fifty years,

the use of e-cigs/vaping has shown a tremendous increase, esp in adolescents

psychostimulants are a class of drugs that includes cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and adhd medication like ritalin and adderall

they are dopamine agonists and can be highly addictive

crack cocaine is 

cheaper and produces a faster high 

psychostimulants can be an effective treatment for

adhd

there has been a tremendous increase in people, esp college students, taking these drugs to boost cognitive performance

there is little evidence that psychostimulants help academic performance, and taking drugs like adderall and ritalin can have many neg side effects on one’s psychological and physical health

substance use disorder can be thought of as a

developmental disorder because addictions typically begin in adolescence

adolescent brain is uniquely suited to create addictions, and this age group often shows more risky behavior