medicines
legal drugs that help the body fight injury, illness, or disease
over-the-counter drug
medicine sold legally in pharmacies; no doctor's prescription needed
prescription drug
a drug that can be obtained only with a written order from a doctor and 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
drug abuse
when a drug is intentionally used improperly or unsafely
psychoactive drug
a mood-altering drug; chemical that affects brain activity
side effect
an unwanted physical or mental effect caused by a drug
drug antagonism
occurs when drug's effect is cancelled 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 harm
depressant
a psychoactive drug that slows brain and body reactions
barbiturates
a class of depressant drugs; also called sedative-hypnotics
CNS depressant
sedative that slows the activity of the central nervous system
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 CNS
amphetamines
prescription drugs that are sometimes sold illegally as "speed" or "uppers
methamphetamine
a stimulant that is related to amphetamines, but is even more powerful
cocaine
powerful but short-acting stimulant
hallucinogen
a drug that distorts perception, thought, and mood
marijuana
a drug made from the leaves, stems, and flowering tops of the hemp plant
club drugs
drugs that first gained popularity at dance clubs and raves
inhalant
a breathable chemical vapor that produces mind-altering effects
anabolic steroids
an artificial form of the male hormone testosterone that used to increase muscle size and strength
therapeutic community
a residential treatment center where former drug abusers live together and learn to adjust to drug-free lives