medicines
legal drugs that help the body fight injury, illness, or disease
over-the-counter drug
a medicine that is sold legally in pharmacies and other stores without a doctor's prescription
prescription drug
a drug that can be obtained only with a written order from a doctor that can be purchased only at a pharmacy
illegal drug
a chemical substance that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell
drug misuse
the improper use of medicines-either prescription or over-the-counter drugs
drug abuse
when a drug is intentionally used improperly or unsafely
psychoactive drug
a chemical that affects brain activity
side effect
an unwanted physical or mental effect caused by a drug
drug antagonism
occurs when each drug's effect is canceled out or reduced by the other
drug synergism
occurs when drugs interact to produce effects greater than those that each drug would produce alone
protective factor
a factor that reduces a person's potential for harmful behavior
depressant
a psychoactive drug that slows brain and body reactions
barbiturates
one class of depressants called sedative-hypnotics
opiate
any drug made from psychoactive compounds contained in the seed pods of poppy plants
heroin
an illegal opiate made from morphine in a laboratory
stimulant
a drug that speeds up activities of the central nervous system
amphetamines
one group of powerful stimulants
methamphetamine
a stimulant that is related to amphetamines, but is even more powerful
cocaine
a powerful but short-acting stimulant
hallucinogen
a drug that distorts perception, thought, and mood
marijuana
the leaves, stems, and flowering tops of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa
club drugs
got their name from the fact that they first gained popularity at dance clubs and raves
inhalant
a breathable chemical vapor that produces mind-altering effects
therapeutic community
a residential treatment center where former drug abusers live together and learn to adjust to drug-free lives