Glossary
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Addiction: a chronic,
relapsing disease,
characterized by compulsive
drug-seeking and drug use
and by neurochemical and
molecular changes in the
brain.
Analog: a chemical compound
that is similar to another
drug in its effects but
differs slightly in its
chemical structure.
Benzodiazepines: drugs that
relieve anxiety or are
prescribed as sedatives;
among the most widely
prescribed medications,
including valium and librium.
Central nervous system
(CNS): the brain and spinal
cord.
Craving: a powerful, often
uncontrollable desire for
drugs.
Designer drug: an analog of
a restricted drug that has
psychoactive properties.
Detoxification: a process of
allowing the body to rid
itself of a drug while
managing the symptoms of
withdrawal; often the first
step in a drug treatment
program.
Dopamine: a neurotransmitter
present in regions of the
brain that regulate
movement, emotion,
motivation, and feelings of
pleasure.
Narcolepsy: a disorder
characterized by
uncontrollable attacks of
deep sleep.
Physical dependence: an
adaptive physiological state
that occurs with regular
drug use and results in a
withdrawal syndrome when
drug use stops.
Psychosis: a mental disorder
characterized by symptoms
such as delusions or
hallucinations that indicate
an impaired conception of
reality.
Rush: a surge of euphoric
pleasure that rapidly
follows administration of a
drug.
Serotonin: a
neurotransmitter that has
been implicated in states of
consciousness, mood,
depression, and anxiety.
Tolerance: a condition in
which higher doses of a drug
are required to produce the
same effect as experienced
initially; often leads to
physical dependence.
Toxic: temporary or
permanent drug effects that
are detrimental to the
functioning of an organ or
group of organs.
Withdrawal: a variety of
symptoms that occur after
use of an addictive drug is
reduced or stopped.
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References
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Epidemiologic Trends in Drug
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National Methamphetamine
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the Future Study, 1975-1994,
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1995.
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