ch 9 toxicology

Stimulant

a substance affecting the nervous system by increasing alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevating blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration

Tolerance

a condition occurring with consistent use of one drug whereby a person needs more and more of the drug to produce the same effect

Dependency

powerful craving for a drug; unlike addiction, dependency does not result in physical withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of the drug

Controlled Substance

a drug or other chemical compound whose manufacture, distribution, possession, and use are regulated by the legal system

Toxicity

the degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause illness

Controlled Substances Act

law that established penalties for possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and established five schedules for classifying drugs

Toxin

a substance naturally produced by a living thing that can cause illness or death in humans

Hallucinogen

a drug that changes a person's perceptions and thinking during intoxication

Narcotic

an addictive, sleep-inducing drug, often derived from opium, that acts as a central nervous system depressant and suppresses pain

Depressant

a substance that decreases or inhibits the nervous system, reducing alertness

Poison

a natural or manufactured substance that can cause severe illness or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin

Addiction

a physical process associated with drug use whereby a person craves a drug; failure to take the drug can result in withdrawal symptoms

Illegal Drug

a drug that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness, has limited or no medical use, and is listed in Schedule 1 of the U.S. Controlled Substance Act

Toxicology

the study of drugs, poisons, toxins, and other substances that harm a person when used for medical, recreational, or criminal purposes

Orfila

father of toxicology

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)

the gold standard for confirmatory testing in toxicology

Colorimetric test

a presumptive test for toxicology

Qualitative analysis

analysis results include a description and words

Quantitative analysis

analysis results in a numerical amount (a number)

Intentionally

taken as a drug to treat illness or relieve pain

Accidentally

unintentionally taken

Deliberately

taken as in suicide