addictive drug
a substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence.
nicotine
the addictive drug found in tobacco
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
another compound found in cigarette smoke and is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas that is taken up more readily by the blood than oxygen is.
smokeless tobacco
tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth or chewed.
emphysema
a disease that destroys the timy air sacs in the lungs.
halitosis
very bad breath.
ethanol
the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. A powerful addictive drug.
fermentation
the chemical action of yeast on sugars.
depressant
a drug that slows the central nervous system.
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/mind
vaccine
a preparation introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response
analgesics
pain relievers varying in strength from mild like aspirin to strong like codeine
side effects
reactions to medicine other than the one intended
tolerance
condition in whcih the body becomes used to the effect of a medicine
withdrawal
occurs when a person stops using a medicine on which he or she has a chemical dependence
prescription drugs
medicine is only available with a doctor's written permission and instructions and only distributed from a licensed pharmacist
over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
wide variety of medicines that you can buy wihtout a prescription
substance abuse
any unnecssary 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
overdose
a strong somtimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug
psychological dependence
condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally
physiological dependence
condition in which the use 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 smoked for their intoxicating effects
paranoia
an irrational suspiciousness or distrust of others
inhalants
substances whose fumes are sniffed and inhaled to achieve a mind-altering effect
psychoactive drugs
chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain
stimulants
drugs that speed up the central nervous system (cocaine, methamphetamine)
euphoria
a feeling of intense well-being or elation
narcotics
specific drugs derived from the opium plant 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 (LSD, Ecstasy, PCP)
Designer drugs
synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of hallucinogens and other dangerous drugs
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 in 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 alcoholic overdose
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
process of learning to live alcohol-free
sobriety
living without alcohol
detoxification
the process in which the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol