Glossary

A

Addiction

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use despite negative consequences and by long-lasting changes in the brain.

Anesthetic

Anesthetic is an agent that causes insensitivity to pain and is used for surgeries and other medical procedures.

B

Brainstem

Brainstem is the lower portion of the brain. Major functions located in the brainstem include those necessary for survival, e.g., breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and arousal.

C

Cerebellum

Cerebellum is a portion of the brain that helps regulate posture, balance, and coordination

Coca

Coca is the plant, Erythroxylon, from which cocaine is derived. Also refers to the leaves of this plant.

Crack

Crack is the slang term for a smokeable form of cocaine.

Craving

Craving is a powerful, often overwhelming desire for drugs.

D

Dependence

Dependence is a physiological state that can occur with regular drug use and results in withdrawal symptoms when drug use is abruptly discontinued.

Drug

Drug ia a chemical compound or substance that can alter the structure and function of the body. Psychoactive drugs affect the function of the brain.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is the repeated use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs to produce pleasure, alleviate stress, and/or alter or avoid reality.

H

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Hallucinogenic drugs include LSD, mescaline, PCP, and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).

Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus is a part of the brain that controls many bodily functions, including feeding, drinking, body temperature regulation, and the release of many hormones.

M

Marijuana

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug, usually smoked but sometimes vaporized or ingested, that is typically made from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the female cannabis plant. The main psychoactive ingredient is THC.

N

Nicotine

Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco. Nicotine activates a specific type of acetylcholine receptor.

P

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication by someone other than for whom it is prescribed, in ways or amounts other than intended by a doctor, or for the experience or feeling it causes.

R

Relapse

Relapse, in drug addiction, is the resumption of drug use after an attempt to stop taking it. Relapse is a common occurrence in many chronic disorders, including addiction, that require frequent behavioral and/or pharmacologic adjustments to be treated effectively.

S

Seasoned Spliff

A seasoned spliff is a ganja (marijuana) spliff peppered with crack cocaine.

T

THC

THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which acts on the brain to produce marijuana’s psychoactive effects.

Tobacco

Tobacco is a plant widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used primarily for smoking; the tabacum species is the major source of tobacco products.

W

Withdrawl

Withdrawal are symptoms that occur after regular use of a drug has been abruptly reduced or stopped. Symptom severity depends on the type of drug, the dosage, and how long and how frequently it has been taken.