Definition of Terms
Abuse—pattern of abnormal drug use that occurs despite negative consequences or the threat of physical damage; not the same as addiction.
Addiction—physical and psy-chological dependence, includ-ing tolerance of a drug, withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped, and persistent relapses following reversal of physical dependence.
Chemical dependence—a primary chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and it manifesta-tions.
Codependency—suffering and/or dysfunction that is associ-ated with or results from focusing on the needs and behavior of others. A constellation of responses by significant others, particularly family, to being involved with the dependent.
Designer drugs—a term first used in the 1980s to describe synthetic or lab-produced derivatives of prescription drugs con-trolled by the U.S. Food and drug (FDA). Until late 1986, so long as drug imitations were only similar, but not identical, to controlled drugs, individuals could not be prosecuted or fined for making them. Designer drug can also refer to a known, abused drug that has been repackaged or redesigned for easier use or increased appeal to consumers. Crack cocaine is a designer form of cocaine.
Dependence—a condition marked by use of a substance in excessive dosages or for a longer period than directed by a physician; use despite persistent social, psychological, and physical problems; expenditure of considerable effort to obtain,use, and recover from a sub-stance; withdrawal symptoms or repeated failure to reduce or control use; and continued use to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Drug abuse—regular use of a drug other than for its accepted medical purpose or in doses greater than those considered appropriate.
Ecchymosis—a small hemorrhagic spot, larger than a petechia, in the skin or mucous membrane forming a non-ele-vated, rounded or irregular, blue or purplish patch.
Experimental—the stage during which individuals become aware that a substance makes them feel good.
Gateway drugs—substances such as, alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, thought to lead to use of more addictive sub-stances.
Glossodynia—pain in the tongue.
Neurotransmitters—chemicals that stimulate adjacent neurons.
Physical dependence—physical adaptation to chronic use of a specific psychoactive substance. Withdrawal symptoms develop when use ceases, and may be relieved when use is resumed.
Psychological dependence— a subjective sense of need for a specific psychoactive substance, to experience its posi-tive effects or to avoid the negative effects associated with stopping its use.
Substance abuse—regular use of a drug other than for its accepted medical purpose or in doses greater than those con-sidered appropriate.
Thrombocytopenia—a decrease in the number of blood platelets.
Tolerance—the need for higher and higher doses of a drug to achieve the same effects. This occurs because of alternations in drug metabolism, so that the liver destroys the drug more quickly, and because of changes in the target cells (usually those of the nervous system).
