Definitions This section of Chapter 2 will present 14 definitions that will be part of the Chapter 2 test. Use the definitions found ONLY in these slides and NOT any from the textbook or the Internet.

Drug: Any substance, which by its chemical nature (except food) alters structure or function in the living organism. Explanation: It has a chemical nature It’s going to change you in some way

Drug Use: Use of drugs for medical purposes Explanation: I know that you can “abuse” prescription drugs, but for the “sake of argument” this is what we are going to “call” drug use.

Drug Abuse: Use of drugs that results in physiological or psychological harm to the user (purposes other than those intended in medicine.) Explanation: It’s “abuse” if it harms you! You can abuse drugs that have no medicinal value too.

Drug Addiction: State of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug. Explanation: I know that you can be “addicted” even after one experience with certain drugs, but most of them will require a repeated consumption.

Psychological Dependence: The mind tricks the body into thinking it needs the drug. Explanation: You don’t really physically need it but you “think” you do. Cocaine is a good example of this.

Physical Dependence: A condition in which a specific drug must be present for the cells to continue functioning in a way similar to the way they functioned prior to the use of drugs. Explanation: You know that you were physically dependent on the drug if you have ANY withdrawal symptoms

Tolerance: An acquired reaction to a drug that necessitates an increased dosage to maintain a given effect or action. Explanation: You will need more than 3 beers to get the same “buzz” that you got when you initially drank 3 beers.

Potency: Relates to how little of a drug is required to produce a given effect. Explanation: The most potent drug we know is LSD. You only need a very small amount to “trip on.”

Toxic: Harmful, destructive, or deadly. Explanation: Alcohol is one of the most toxic drugs we know. We mean that it is very harmful and destructive to the body!

Acute: The short-term effects or effects from a single administration of a drug. Explanation: The effects from being drunk one night OR The effects from one dose of cocaine.

Chronic: Persistent effects produced by long- term use. Explanation: The physiological effects from drinking alcohol over a long period of time.

Specific Effects: Those effects of a drug that depend on the amount and type of chemical contained in the drug. Explanation: What the chemical is specifically going to do to you whether you think it will or not. Marijuana has specific physiological effects whether you think it is harmless or not.

Nonspecific Effects: Effects are not based on its chemical activity; also referred to as a “placebo effect.” Explanation: It’s your “mind set” while taking the drug OR It’s how you behave when you think you are taking a drug but really aren’t

Additive Effects: When the effects of two different drugs add up to produce a greater effect than either drug alone. Explanation: This is what will happen when you take 2 different drugs at the same time; it’s going to have a greater effect on your body.