Medical terms

Medical terms

Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disease characterized
by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite serious
adverse consequences, and by long-lasting changes
in the brain.
Agonist: A chemical entity that binds to a receptor
and activates it, mimicking the action of the natural
(or abused) substance that binds there.
Antagonist: A chemical entity that binds to a receptor
and blocks its activation. Antagonists prevent the
natural (or abused) substance from activating its
receptor.
Barbiturate: A type of CNS depressant prescribed to
promote sleep (usually in surgical procedures) or as
an anticonvulsant.
Benzodiazepine: A type of CNS depressant
prescribed to relieve anxiety and sleep problems.
Valium and Xanax are among the most widely
prescribed medications.
Buprenorphine: A mixed opiate agonist/antagonist
medication approved by the FDA in October 2002 for
the treatment of opioid addiction (e.g., heroin).
Central Nervous System: The brain and spinal cord.
CNS Depressants: A class of drugs that slow CNS
function (also called sedatives and tranquilizers),
some of which are used to treat anxiety and
sleep disorders; includes barbiturates and
benzodiazepines.
Comorbidity: The occurrence of two disorders or
illnesses in the same person, also referred to as
co-occurring conditions or dual diagnosis. Patients
with comorbid illnesses may experience a more
severe illness course and require treatment for each
or all conditions.
Detoxification: A process in which the body rids itself
of a drug (or its metabolites). During this period,
withdrawal symptoms can emerge that may require
medical treatment. This is often the first step in drug
abuse treatment.
Dopamine: A brain chemical, classified as a
neurotransmitter, found in regions that regulate
movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure.
Methadone: A long-acting synthetic opioid
medication that is effective in treating opioid
addiction and pain.
Narcolepsy: A disorder characterized by
uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep.
Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter present in the
brain and the peripheral (sympathetic) nervous
system; and a hormone released by the adrenal
glands. Norepinephrine is involved in attention,
responses to stress, and it regulates smooth muscle
contraction, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Opioid: A compound or drug that binds to receptors
in the brain involved in the control of pain and other
functions (e.g., morphine, heroin, hydrocodone,
oxycodone).
Physical Dependence: An adaptive physiological
state that occurs with regular drug use and results in
a withdrawal syndrome when drug use is stopped;
often occurs with tolerance. Physical dependence
can happen with chronic—even appropriate—use of
many medications, and by itself does not constitute
addiction.
Polydrug Abuse: The abuse of two or more drugs at
the same time, such as CNS depressants and alcohol.
Prescription Drug Abuse: The use of a medication
without a prescription; in a way other than as
prescribed; or for the experience or feeling elicited.
This term is used interchangeably with “nonmedical”
use, a term employed by many of the national
surveys.
Psychotherapeutics: Drugs that have an effect on the
function of the brain and that often are used to treat
psychiatric/neurologic disorders; includes opioids,
CNS depressants, and stimulants.
Respiratory Depression: Slowing of respiration
(breathing) that results in the reduced availability of
oxygen to vital organs.
Sedatives: Drugs that suppress anxiety and
promote sleep; the NSDUH classification includes
benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other types of
CNS depressants.
Stimulants: A class of drugs that enhances the
activity of monamines (such as dopamine) in the
brain, increasing arousal, heart rate, blood pressure,
and respiration, and decreasing appetite; includes
some medications used to treat attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (e.g., methylphenidate
and amphetamines), as well as cocaine and
methamphetamine.
Tolerance: A condition in which higher doses of
a drug are required to produce the same effect
achieved during initial use; often associated with
physical dependence.
Tranquilizers: Drugs prescribed to promote sleep or
reduce anxiety; the NSDUH classification includes
benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other types of
CNS depressants.
Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur after chronic use
of a drug is reduced abruptly or stopped.