addictive drug
a substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence
nicotine
the addictive drug found in tobacco leaves
stimulant
a drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs
carcinogen
a cancer-causing substance
tar
a thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns
carbon monoxide
colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas
smokeless tobacco
tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed
leukoplakia
Thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer
nicotine withdrawal
the process that occurs in the body when nicotine, an addictive drug, is no longer used
nicotine substitute
a product that delivers small amounts of nicotine into the user's system while he or she is trying to give up the tobacco habit
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
air that has been contaminated by tobacco smoke
mainstream smoke
the smoke exhaled from the lungs of a smoker
sidestream smoke
the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar
ethanol
the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages
fermentation
the chemical action of yeast on sugars
depressant
a drug that slows the central nervous system
intoxication
the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person's physical and mental control is significantly reduced
metabolism
the process by which the body breaks down substances
blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
the amount of alcohol in a person's blood, expressed as a percentage
binge drinking
drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting
alcohol poisoning
a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems
alcoholism
a disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol
alcoholic
an addict who is dependent on alcohol
recovery
the process of learning to live an alcohol-free life
sobriety
living without alcohol
medicines
drugs that are used to treat or prevent disease or other conditions
drugs
substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind
vaccine
a preparation introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response
side effects
Reactions to medicine other than the one intended
additive interaction
Medicines work together in a positive way
synergistic effect
interaction of two or more medicines that results in a greater effect than when the medicines are taken alone
antagonistic interaction
The effect of one medicine is canceled or reduced when taken with another medicine
substance abuse
any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for nonmedical purposes
illegal drugs
chemical substances that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell
illicit drug use
the use or sale of any substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted
overdose
a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug
psychological dependence
A condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally
physiological dependence
A condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug
addiction
a physiological or psychological dependence on a drug
marijuana
a plant whose leaves, buds, and flowers are usually smoked for their intoxicating effects
paranoia
irrational suspiciousness or distrust of others
inhalants
substances whose fumes are sniffed and inhaled to achieve a mind altering effect
anabolic-androgenic steroids
synthetic substances that are similar to the male sex hormone testosterone
psychoactive drugs
chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain
stimulants
Drugs that speed up the central nervous system
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
narcotics
specific drugs that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain
hallucinogens
Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perceptions including vision, hearing, smell, and touch
designer drugs
Synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of hallucinogens and other dangerous drugs
drug free school zones
areas within 1,000 feet of schools and designated by signs, within which people caught selling drugs receive especially severe penalties
drug watches
organized community efforts by neighborhood residents to patrol, monitor, report, and otherwise try to stop drug deals and drug abuse