2. Psychoactive Psychoactive Drugs and Steroids

3. I. Drug Abuse Any use of an illegal drug or misuse of any legal drug or psychoactive substance.

4. II. Reasons people use drugs. Peer acceptance curiosity relaxation boredom depression escape

5. III. Gateway Drug Psychoactive substance that leads to the use of other drugs.

6. IV. Stages of Drug Abuse Experimentation Tolerance Physical Dependence Psychological Dependence

7. V. Stimulants Drugs that stimulate, or speed up, nerve activity.

8. VI. Depressants Drugs that depress, or slow down, nerve activity.

9. VII. Narcotics Strong painkillers that produce a relaxed, dreamy state.

10. VIII. Hallucinogens Drugs that distort users’ perceptions of their surroundings and their own bodies.

11. IX. Cannabis Has some of the same physical and psychological effects as stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens.

12. X. Inhalants Psychoactive gasses that produce euphoria when they are inhaled.

13. XI. Designer Drugs New chemical combinations created to imitate the effects of controlled drugs. Most imitate stimulants, narcotics, and hallucinogens.

14. XII. Anabolic Steroids Laboratory-madeLaboratory-made drugs that function like the male hormone testosterone to increase muscle mass.

15. XIII. Euphoria A feeling of intense happiness and well-being.

16. XIV. Signs of Drug Abuse Behavior Changes unexplained changes lack of interest in usual activities unpredictable behavior sudden switch of friends borrowing money, or stealing money/valuables Physical Changes sleep disturbances loss of appetite bloodshot eyes excessive sweating flushed skin unexplained rash runny nose / irritated nostrils