| addiction | Condition traditionally defined as physiological need for a drug, wherein drug use altered the body's chemistry to the point where the body required the drug to feel normal.
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| amphetamines | A group of synthetic stimulants—the most common of which are Benzedrine, Dexedrine, and Methedrine—which reduce feelings of boredom or weariness.
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| barbiturates | A group of powerful sedative drugs used to alleviate tension and bring about relaxation and sleep.
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| blood alcohol level | The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, expressed in terms of the number of milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
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| cocaine | A natural stimulant, made from the coca plant, that produces feelings of euphoria and omnipotence.
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| crack cocaine | A cheaper and more powerful and highly addictive form of freebased cocaine, sold in small chunks or "rocks."
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| depressant | A drug that acts on the central nervous system to reduce pain, tension, and anxiety, to relax and disinhibit, and to slow intellectual and motor reactivity.
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| detoxification | A medical treatment for alcoholism that consists of getting the alcohol out of the alcoholic's system and seeing him or her through the withdrawal symptoms.
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| endorphins | Brain chemicals, similar to morphine, that may underlie one's natural control of pain and natural experience of pleasure.
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| hallucinogens | A class of drugs that acts on the central nervous system in such a way as to cause distortions in sensory perception.
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| hashish | A "minor hallucinogen" derived from the resin of cannabis, a hemp plant. It is five times stronger than marijuana, another cannabis derivative.
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| heroin | An addictive opiate derived from morphine.
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| LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) | A hallucinogen derived from a fungus; it interferes with the processing of information in the nervous system, causing perceptual distortions.
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| marijuana | A "minor hallucinogen" derived from the dried, crushed leaves of cannabis, a hemp plant.
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| matching | In alcohol treatment, directing the patient to a treatment program best suited to his or her personal characteristics.
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| MDMA ("Ecstasy") | Hallucinogenic drug commonly known as Ecstasy, associated with high-risk sexual behaviors; users may suffer paranoia, panic attacks, and depression as well as long-term impairment in memory with prolonged use.
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| methadone | A synthetic opiate that satisfies the craving for narcotics but does not produce narcotic euphoria.
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| morphine | A dangerously addictive depressant drug, derived from one of the most powerful ingredients in opium; used as a painkiller.
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| motivational interviewing | In drug and alcohol rehabilitation, a question-and-answer method of interviewing aimed at increasing the patient's motivation to change, leading to discontinuing substance abuse.
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| opiates | A class of drugs that induces relaxation and reverie and provides relief from anxiety and pain.
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| opium | A depressant derived from the opium poppy.
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| PCP (phencyclidine) | Also called "angel dust," a hallucinogen widely used in the 1970s that poses the risk for users of harming themselves through burns, falls, or accidents, or harming others as a result of perceptual distortions and paranoia.
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| psychoactive drug | A drug that alters one's psychological state.
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| relapse prevention | In alcohol rehabilitation, an approach aimed at reducing the likelihood of "slipping" and preventing an escalation of usage if "slips" do occur; in the treatment of rapists, an approach that trains rapists how to avoid situations that place them at risk for repeating the crime and how to resist the impulse to commit the offense.
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| stimulants | A class of drugs that provides energy, alertness, and feelings of confidence.
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| substance abuse | A pattern of maladaptive drug use that has not progressed to full-blown dependence. It is determined by the appearance of any one of the following symptoms: recurrent drug-related failure to fulfill major role obligations (e.g., absenteeism from school or work, neglect of children); recurrent drug use in physically dangerous situations (e.g., drunk driving); drug-related legal problems; and continued drug use despite social or interpersonal problems caused by the effects of the drug. Cf.substance dependence.
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| substance dependence | The diagnostic category to which a drug user is assigned who fulfills any three of these seven criteria: preoccupation with the drug; unintentional overuse; tolerance; withdrawal; persistent desire or efforts to control drug use; the abandonment of important social, occupational, or recreational activities for the sake of drug use; and continued drug use despite serious drug-related problems. Cf.substance abuse.
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| synergistic effect | The combined impact of two drugs, which is greater than the effect of either drug when taken alone.
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| tolerance | The physiological condition in which the usual dosage of a drug no longer produces the desired effect.
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| tranquilizers | A group of drugs that produce mild calm and relaxation. They can be addictive and have side effects.
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| withdrawal | Temporary psychological and physiological disturbances resulting from the body's attempt to readjust to the absence of a drug.
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