AP Psychology: Modules 18 & 19

Addiction Cycle

The process of addiction, which involves taking a psychoactive drug, experiencing chemical effects on neural sites, experiencing withdrawal, craving the drug more, developing tolerance, and continuing the cycle.

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods, including illegal drugs (LSD, heroin, cocaine), prescribed drugs (painkillers), and legal drugs (cocaine).

Substance Abuse Disorder

An addiction disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk.

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the desired effect.

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use, leading to alcohol addiction.

Alcoholism

The most common substance use disorder characterized by alcohol addiction, marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

Barbiturates

Depressant drugs that reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgment. Also known as tranquilizers, some are prescribed to induce sleep or reduce anxiety.

Opiates

Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. Common opiates include morphine and heroin.

Neurotransmitter Depletion

The process in which psychoactive drugs trick the body into not producing natural neurotransmitters, leading to reliance on the artificial drug and blocking the process of reuptake. This leads to withdrawal and tolerance.

Stimulant

A type of psychoactive drug that increases alertness and wakefulness. Examples include caffeine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine.

Mild Hallucinogen

A type of psychoactive drug that causes enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, and relaxation. Examples include marijuana.

Hallucinogen

A type of psychoactive drug that causes hallucinations. Examples include LSD.

Depressant

A type of psychoactive drug that induces relaxation and disinhibition. Examples include alcohol and heroin.