The United States is a drug culture.
Americans use drugs on a regular basis
to wake up in the morning (coffee and
tea), get through the day (cigarettes),
and to relax at night (alcohol).
Newcomb& Bentler, 1989
Drug Terminology (1)
Drug-any substance other than water or
food that has a direct impact on the
structure and function of the body.
Illicit Drugs: Drugs whose manufacture,
sale, or possession is illegal.
Licit Drugs: Drugs whose manufacture,
sale, or possession is legal.
Drug Terminology (2)
Instrumental Use: Drug use for a specific
purpose other than getting “high”.
Recreational Use: Drug use for the specific
purpose of getting “high” or achieving some
pleasurable effect.
Drug Terminology (3)
Drug Misuse: Drug taking behavior in
which a prescription or nonprescription
drug is used inappropriately.
Drug Abuse: Drug taking behavior
resulting in some form of physical, mental,
or social impairment.
Drug Terminology (4)
Acute Toxicity-The physical and
psychological harm a drug presents to the
user immediately or soon after the drug is
ingested into the body.
Chronic Toxicity-The physical or
psychological harm a drug might cause over
a long period of time.
Drug Terminology (5)
Prevention-Programming that is taken to avoid
the problems associated with alcohol and drug
use. May focus on the community and/or
individual.
Intervention-Programming and procedures for
the early identification of alcohol or drug
problems. Focus on the individual.
Drug Terminology (6)
Treatment-Programming and strategies focusing
on reducing/eliminating an individual’s problems
due to their drug use. Treatment focuses on the
individual, however the family and community
may play a significant role in the treatment
process.
Substance Abuse:
A diagnostic term used to
describe an individual who
continues to take a psychoactive
substance despite the fact the
drug taking behavior creates
specific problems for that
individual.
Drug Tolerance
Tolerance-The capacity of a drug to
produce a gradually diminished
physical or psychological effect upon
repeated administrations of the drug
at the same dose level.
(It takes more of a drug to get the
same effect)
Substance Dependence:
A diagnostic term used to identify an
individual with significant signs of a
dependent relationship upon a psychoactive
drug.
Example: Tolerance, Withdrawal, Loss of
control, persistent unsuccessful attempts to
quit using the drug.
Psychological Dependence
• Psychological dependence occurs when
there is an uncontrollable need or desire
to continue the use of a substance.
• Signs of psychological dependence
include:
– continued use despite negative consequences
– using to mask feelings
– obsession with getting the substance
Withdrawal
A wide array physiological responses
to withdrawal of a substance from
the body.
Withdrawal is typically considered a
hallmark symptom of physical
dependence.