Substance Use and Addiction Science Flashcards
Grade 10 · Health · Flashcards
Key terms and concepts covering the neuroscience of addiction, drug classifications, and treatment approaches.
Flashcards
- Addiction
- A chronic, relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.
- Dopamine
- A neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure; addictive substances flood the brain with dopamine, reinforcing drug use.
- Nucleus Accumbens
- The brain's reward center; heavily targeted by addictive substances to produce feelings of euphoria.
- Tolerance
- A state where increasing doses of a substance are required to achieve the same effect due to neuroadaptation.
- Physical Dependence
- A state in which the body requires a substance to function normally, leading to withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
- Psychological Dependence
- An emotional or mental reliance on a substance, characterized by cravings and compulsive use even without physical withdrawal.
- Withdrawal Syndrome
- A set of symptoms (ranging from anxiety and sweating to seizures) that occur when a dependent person stops using a substance.
- Stimulants
- Drugs that accelerate central nervous system activity, increasing alertness, heart rate, and energy (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine).
- Depressants
- Drugs that slow central nervous system activity, producing sedation and reducing anxiety (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids).
- Hallucinogens
- Substances that alter perception, thought, and mood, often causing sensory experiences that do not exist (e.g., LSD, psilocybin).
- Prefrontal Cortex
- The brain region governing decision-making and impulse control; still developing in adolescence, increasing addiction vulnerability.
- Relapse
- A return to substance use after a period of abstinence; a common feature of addiction as a chronic condition.
- Neuroplasticity
- The brain's capacity to change and reorganize; chronic substance use can create lasting changes in reward and decision-making circuits.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Treatment combining FDA-approved medications (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone) with counseling to treat substance use disorders.
- Protective Factors
- Conditions that reduce the risk of substance use disorders, including strong family bonds, academic engagement, and healthy coping skills.
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