Ch4.3 Psychoactive Drugs
Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs that act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perception, and change moods.
Tolerance
The need to take increasing amounts of a drug to get the same effect.
Physical Dependence
The physiological need for a drug that causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as physical pain and a craving for the drug when it is discontinued.
Addiction
A physical or a psychological dependence, or both, on a drug.
Barbiturates
Depressant drugs, such as Nembutal and Seconal, that decrease central nervous system activity.
Tranquilizers
Depressant drugs, such as Valium and Xanax, that reduce anxiety and induce relaxation.
Alcoholism
Disorder that involves long-term, repeated, uncontrolled, compulsive, and excessive use of alcoholic beverages and that impairs the drinker's health and social relationships.
Opiates
Opium and its derivatives; narcotic drugs that depress activity in the central nervous system and eliminate pain.
Hallucinogens
Psychoactive drugs that modify a person's perceptual experiences and produce visual images that are not real.
Depressants
Psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity.
Stimulants
Psychoactive drugs, including caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine, that increase the central nervous system's activity.
Psychological Dependence
The strong desire to repeat the use of a drug for emotional reasons, such as a feeling of well-being and reduction of stress.