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abstinence	no alcohol or drug use at all.
acetaminophen (a seet a min o fen)	an aspirinlike analgesic and antipyretic.
acetylcholine (eh see till co leen)	neurotransmitter found in the parasympathetic branch in the cerebral cortex.
acetylsalicylic acid (a see till sal i sill ick)	the chemical known as aspirin.
active metabolites	metabolites that have drug actions of their own.
acute	referring to drugs, the short-term effects of a single dose.
adenosine (a den o sen)	an inhibitory neurotransmitter through which caffeine acts.
ADHD	attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
AIDS	acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Alcoholic Anonymous	a worldwide organization of self-help groups based on helping each other stop drinking.
alternatives	alternative nondrug activities, such as relaxation or dancing.
amphetamine	a synthetic CNS stimulant and sympathomimetic.
anabolic (an a ball ick)	promoting constructive metabolism; building tissue.
anandamide (an and a mide)	a chemical isolated from brain tissue that has marijuana-like properties.
androgenic (an drow gen ick)	masculinizing.
angel dust	the street name for PCP sprinkled on plant material.
anhedonia [an hee doe nee ya]	lack of emotional response; especially an inability to experience joy or pleasure.
animism	the belief that objects attain certain characteristics because of spirits.
antecedent (ant eh see dent)	a variable that occurs before some event such as the initiation of drug use.
anti-inflammatory	reducing swelling and inflammation.
antihistamine	the active ingredient in OTC sleep aids and cough/cold products.
antipsychotics	a group of drugs used to treat psychosis; same as neuroleptic.
antipyretic (an tee pie reh tick)	fever-reducing.
anxiety disorders	mental disorders characterized by excessive worry, fears, or avoidance.
arbiturates (bar bitch er ates)	a chemical group of sedative-hypnotics.
ataxia (ay tax ee ah)	uncoordinated walking.
autonomic	the part of the nervous system that controls "involuntary" functions, such as heart rate. ↑ Back to Top
behavioral tolerance	tolerance caused by learned adaptation to the drug.
benzodiazepines (ben zo die ay zah peens)	a chemical grouping of sedative-hypnotics.
biopsychosocial	a theory or perspective that relies on the interaction of biological, individual psychological, and social variables.
black tar	a type of illicit heroin usually imported from Mexico.
blood alcohol concentration	also called blood alcohol level; a measure of the concentration of alcohol in blood, expressed in grams per 100 ml (percentage).
blood-brain barrier	structure that prevents many drugs from entering the brain. ↑ Back to Top
caffeinism	excessive use of caffeine.
Cannabis (can a biss)	the genus of plant known as marijuana.
catheters (cath a ters)	plastic or other tubing implanted into the body.
central nervous system (CNS)	brain and spinal cord. basal ganglia subcortical brain structures controlling muscle tone.
chlorpheniramine maleate (clor fen eer a meen mal i ate)	a common antihistamine in cold products.
chronic	referring to drugs, the long-term effects from repeated use.
cirrhosis (sir oh sis)	an irreversible, frequently deadly liver disorder associated with heavy alcohol use.
club drugs	drugs associated with use at all-night dance parties, known as "raves," held in dance clubs, abandoned warehouses, and increasingly in more traditional nightclubs as the rave-party generation moves into its 20s. The drugs most commonly included in this group include the hallucinogen MDMA ("Ecstasy"; Chapter 17) and the depressants GHB and rohypnol ("roofies"; Chapter 9).
coca paste	a crude extract containing cocaine in a smokable form.
cocaethylene (co cah eth eh leen)	a chemical formed when ethanol and cocaine are co-administered.
cocaine hydrochloride	the most common form of pure cocaine, it is stable and water soluble.
cocaine	a stimulant; the primary active chemical in coca.
codeine	the secondary active agent in opium.
comatose (co mah tose)	unconscious and unable to be aroused.
congeners (con je nurz)	other alcohols and oils contained in alcoholic beverages.
controlled drinking	the idea that alcohol abusers may be able to drink under control.
correlate (core a let)	a variable that is statistically related to some other variable, such as drug use.
crack	a street named for simple and stable preparation of cocaine base for smoking.
crank	street name for illicitly manufactured methamphetamine.
crystal meth; ice	street names for crystals of methamphetamine hydrochloride.
cumulative effects	effects of giving multiple doses of the same drug. ↑ Back to Top
DARE	Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the most popular prevention program in schools.
DAWN	Drug Abuse Warning Network. System for collecting data on drug-related deaths or emergency room visits.
DEA	Drug Enforcement Administration, a branch of the Department of Justice.
delirium tremens (de leer ee um tree mens)	an alcohol withdrawal syndrome that includes hallucinations and tremors.
depressants	drugs that slow activity in the CNS.
depression	a major type of mood disorder.
detoxification	an early treatment stage, in which the body eliminates the alcohol or other substance.
dextromethorphan (dex tro meh thor fan)	an OTC antitussive (cough control) ingredient.
distillation (dis ti lay shun)	the evaporation and condensing of alcohol vapors to produce beverages with higher alcohol content.
dopamine (dope ah meen)	neurotransmitter found in the basal ganglia and other regions.
dose-response curve	a graph comparing the size of response to the amount of drug.
double-blind procedure	experiment in which neither the doctor nor the patient knows which drug is being used.
dronabinol (dro nab i noll)	the generic name for prescription THC in oil in a gelatin capsule.
drug disposition tolerance	tolerance caused by more rapid elimination of the drug. ↑ Back to Top
ED50	effective dose for half of the animals tested.
emphysema (em fah see mah)	a chronic lung disease characterized by difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.
endorphin	opiate-like chemical that occurs naturally in the brain of humans and other animals.
endorphins (en dor fins)	morphinelike neurotransmitters found in the brain and pituitary gland.
enkephalins (en kef a lins)	morphinelike neurotransmitters found in the brain and adrenals.
enzyme	large molecule that assists in either the synthesis or metabolism of another molecule.
ephedrine (eh fed rin)	a sympathomimetic drug used in treating asthma.
epilepsies	disorders characterized by uncontrolled movements (seizures).
ergogenic (er go gen ic)	producing work or energy; a general term for performance enhancement. ↑ Back to Top
FDA	The United States Food and Drug Administration.
fermentation (fer men tay shun)	the production of alcohol from sugars through the action of yeasts.
fetal alcohol effect	individual developmental abnormalities associated with the mother's alcohol use during pregnancy.
fetal alcohol syndrome	facial and developmental abnormalities associated with the mother's alcohol use during pregnancy.
freebase	a method of preparing cocaine as a chemical base so that it can be smoked. ↑ Back to Top
GABA	inhibitory neurotransmitter found in most regions of the brain.
gateway	one of the first drugs (e.g., alcohol or tobacco) used by a typical drug user.
generic (juh ner ic)	a name that specifies a particular chemical but not a particular brand.
GHB	gamma hydroxybutyrate; chemically related to GABA; used recreationally as a depressant.
glutamate	excitatory neurotransmitter found in most regions of the brain.
GRAS	"generally recognized as safe." ↑ Back to Top
hashish (hash eesh or hash eesh)	concentrated resin from the Cannabis plant.
heroin	diacetylmorphine, a potent derivative of morphine.
HIV	human immunodeficiency virus.
homeostasis	maintenance of an environment of body functions within a certain range (e.g., temperature, blood pressure).
human growth hormone	a pituitary hormone responsible for some types of giantism.
hypnotics	drugs used to induce sleep. ↑ Back to Top
ibuprofen (eye bu pro fen)	an aspirinlike analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
IND	application to investigate a new drug in human clinical trials.
indole (in dole)	a particular chemical structure found in serotonin and LSD.
inhalants	volatile solvents inhaled for intoxicating purposes.
intramuscular	injection into a muscle.
intravenous (IV) (in trah vee nuss)	injection directly into a vein. ↑ Back to Top
laissez-faire (lay say fair)	a hands-off approach to government.
LD50	lethal dose for half of the animals tested.
leukoplakia (luke o plake ee ah)	a whitening and thickening of the mucous tissue in the mouth, considered to be a precancerous tissue change.
lipid solubility	tendency of a chemical to dissolve in fat, as opposed to in water.
lithium (lith ee um)	a drug used in treating mania and bipolar disorder.
longitudinal study (lon jeh too di nul)	a study done over a period of time (months or years). ↑ Back to Top
marijuana (mare i wan ah)	also spelled "marihuana." Dried leaves of the cannabis plant.
Marinol (mare i noll)	the brand name for dronabinol.
mescaline (mess ka lin)	the active chemical in the peyote cactus.
mesolimbic dopamine pathway (meh zo lim bick)	one of two major dopamine pathways; may be involved in psychotic reactions and in drug dependence.
metabolite (muh tab oh lite)	product of enzyme action on a drug.
metabolize	to break down or inactivate a neurotransmitter (or a drug) through enzymatic action.
methadone (meth a doan)	a long-lasting synthetic opioid.
methylphenidate (Ritalin) (meth il fen ih date)	a stimulant used in treating ADHD.
moist snuff	finely chopped tobacco, held in the mouth rather than snuffed into the nose.
monoamine oxidase (MAO)	inhibitor a type of antidepressant drug.
morphine	a narcotic, the primary active chemical in opium. Heroin is made from morphine. ↑ Back to Top
naloxone (nal ox own)	an opioid antagonist.
narcolepsy	a disease that causes people to fall asleep suddenly.
NDA	new drug application. Must be approved before a drug is sold.
neuroleptic (noor o lep tick)	a general term for antipsychotic drugs.
neurotransmitters	chemical messengers released from neurons and having brief, local effects.
Nicotiana rustica (russ tick a)	the less desirable species of tobacco, which is not widely grown in the United States.
Nicotiana tobacum (ni co she ann a toe back um)	the species of tobacco widely cultivated for smoking and chewing products.
nigrostriatal dopamine pathway	one of two major dopamine pathways; damaged in Parkinson's disease.
nitrosamines (nye troh sa meens)	a type of chemical that is carcinogenic; several are found in tobacco.
norepinephrine	neurotransmitter that may be important for regulating waking and appetite.
NSAIDs	nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. ↑ Back to Top
opioid antagonists	drugs that can block the actions of opioids.
opioid	a drug derived from opium (e.g., morphine and codeine) or a synthetic drug with opium-like effects (e.g., oxycodone).
opium	a raw plant substance containing morphine and codeine. ↑ Back to Top
paraphernalia (pare a fer nail ya)	equipment used in conjunction with any activity.
parasympathetic	the branch of the autonomic system that stimulates digestion, slows the heart, and has other effects associated with a relaxed physiological state.
Parkinson's disease	degenerative neurological disease involving damage to dopamine neurons.
passive smoking	the inhalation of tobacco smoke by individuals other than the smoker.
patent medicines	medicines sold directly to the public.
PCP	phencyclidine; originally developed as an anesthetic; has hallucinogenic properties.
peyote (pay oh tee)	a type of hallucinogenic cactus.
phantastica (fan tass tick a)	drugs that create a world of fantasy.
pharmacodynamic tolerance	tolerance caused by altered nervous system sensitivity.
phenothiazines (feen o thigh uh zeens)	a group of drugs used to treat psychosis.
phenylpropanolamine (PPA) (fen il pro pa nole a meen)	until 2000, an active ingredient in OTC weightcontrol products.
physical dependence	drug dependence defined by the presence of a withdrawal syndrome, implying that the body has become adapted to the drug's presence.
placebo (pluh see bo)	an inactive drug.
potency	measured by the amount of drug required to produce an effect.
precursors	chemicals that are acted on by enzymes to form neurotransmitters.
prodrugs drugs	that are inactive until acted on by enzymes in the body.
Prohibition	laws prohibiting all sales of alcoholic beverages in the United States from 1920 to 1933.
proof	a measure of a beverage's alcohol content; twice the alcohol percentage.
psilocybin (sill o sy bin)	the active chemical in Psilocybe mushrooms.
psychedelic (sy ka dell ick)	"mind-viewing."
psychoactive	having effects on thoughts, emotions, or behavior.
psychological dependence	behavioral dependence; indicated by high rate of drug use, craving for the drug, and a tendency to relapse after stopping use.
psychopharmacology	the study of the behavioral effects of drugs.
psychosis (sy co sis)	a serious mental disorder involving loss of contact with reality.
psychotomimetic (sy cot o mim et ick)	mimicking psychosis. ↑ Back to Top
quid	a piece of chewing tobacco. ↑ Back to Top
receptors	recognition mechanisms that respond to specific chemical signals.
reinforcement	a procedure in which a behavioral event is followed by a consequent event such that the behavior is then more likely to be repeated. The behavior of taking a drug may be reinforced by the effect of the drug.
rock	another name for crack.
Rohypnol	abenzodiazepine; the "date-rape drug." ↑ Back to Top
safety margin	dosage difference between an acceptable level of effectiveness and the lowest toxic dose.
schizophrenia (skitz o fren ee yah)	a type of chronic psychosis. bipolar disordera type of mood disorder also known as manic-depressive disorder.
sedatives	drugs used to relax, calm, or tranquilize.
serotonin (sehr o tone in)	neurotransmitter found in the raphe nuclei; may be important for impulsivity, depression.
side effects	unintended effects that accompany therapeutic effects.
sidestream smoke	smoke arising from the ash of the cigarette or cigar.
sinsemilla (sin se mee ya)	"without seeds"; a method of growing more potent marijuana.
smokeless tobacco	a term used for chewing tobacco during the 1980s.
social influence model	a prevention model adopted from successful smoking programs.
speed	street name for amphetamine.
SSRI	selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant drug.
stages of change	a model for decision making consisting of precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
subcutaneous (sub cue tay nee us)	injection under the skin.
sympathetic	the branch of the autonomic system involved in flight or fight reactions.
sympathomimetic (sim path o mih met ick)	a drug that stimulates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.
synesthesia (sin ess thees ya)	the blending of different senses, such as "seeing" sounds.
synthesis	the forming of a neurotransmitter by the action of enzymes on precursors. ↑ Back to Top
temperance (temp a rance)	the idea that people should drink beer or wine in moderation but drink no hard liquor.
THC	delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the most important psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
theobromine (thee oh broh meen)	a xanthine found in chocolate.
theophylline (thee off a lin)	a xanthine found in tea.
therapeutic index (TI)	ratio of LD50 to ED50.
time course	timing of the onset, duration, and termination of a drug's effect.
tolerance	reduced effect of a drug after repeated use.
toxic	poisonous, dangerous. behavioral toxicity toxicity resulting from behavioral effects of a drug.
transporter	mechanism in the nerve terminal membrane responsible for removing neurotransmitter molecules from the synapse by taking them back into the neuron.
tricyclic (try sike lick)	a type of antidepressant drug. ↑ Back to Top
uptake	energy-requiring mechanism by which selected molecules are taken into cells. ↑ Back to Top
values clarification	teaching students to recognize and express their own feelings and beliefs. ↑ Back to Top
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (wer nick ee core sa kof)	chronic mental impairments produced by heavy alcohol use over a long period of time.
withdrawal syndrome	a consistent set of symptoms that appears after discontinuing use of a drug. ↑ Back to Top
xanthines (zan theens)	the class of chemicals to which caffeine belongs. ↑ Back to Top