NROSCI 0081 Drug Misuse and Addiction

psychoactive drugs

produce an altered state of consciousness; influences emotions, perceptions behavior

- stimulants, depressants, opiates, hallucinogens

drug misuse/abuse

the use, generally by self-administration, of a drug in a way that deviates from the social norms of a given culture

drug tolerance

diminished response to a drug after repeated exposure

cross tolerance

tolerance to one drug can diminish effectiveness of a second drug

metabolic tolerance

increase in number of enzymes used to break down substance

- increase in drug bioavailability

pharmacodynamic tolerance

changes in nerve cell function compensate for continues presence of the drug

behavioral tolerance

tolerance caused by learned adaptation to the drug

withdrawal

sudden cessation of drug use

- varied symptoms: sweating, shaking, nausea/vomiting, sleeplessness, anxiety and loss of appetite

sensitization (reverse tolerance)

enhancement of drug effects after repeated administration of the same dose; can persist over long periods of abstinence

drug dependence

pattern of use in which the individual perceives the need to continue usage

- occurs w/o medical need

- can be compulsive

physical dependence

over symptoms; manifested by the overt symptoms of withdrawal from chronic drug use

physiological dependence

drug craving; brought on by triggers

drug addiction

the term used to describe an overall pattern of compulsive drug abuse characterized by consistent preoccupation with drug consumption and a tendency to relapse after withdrawal.

reward

positive effect or feeling (subjective)

reinforcer

substance, event or activity that increases frequency/probability of response that precedes it (objective)