Acute. Sudden, or immediate.
ADD see Attention deficit disorder.
Adderall. Psychostimulant drug which contains a combination of 4 different amphetamine salts that are metabolized at different rates.
Addiction. The term addiction is no longer used to describe drug dependency. In 1970, the World Health Organization removed drug addiction and drug habituation from its approved terminology.
ADHD see Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Adrenaline. Synthetic epinephrine; also a synonym for the natural hormone epinephrine. Adrenalin (no e) is a trademark brand name.
Affect. Pattern of observed behaviors that express emotion, such as anger, sadness or elation; blunted affect shows a marked reduction in emotional intensity; flat affects show the absence of affective emotion.
Agitation, psychomotor. Excessive nonproductive motor activity associated with inner tension, for instance pacing, fidgeting, twirling hair, or the inability to sit still.
Agonist/antagonist medication. Chemical that reacts as an agonist for one type of drug receptor while blocking other receptors.
Agonist medication. Chemical that mimics the action of endogenous substances with regard to its effect on the intended receptor.
Amphetamine. Synthetic psychostimulant chemical derivative of phenethylamine with an attached methyl (CH3) side chain belonging to the family of sympathomimetic amines.
Amphetamine-like. Plant or synthetic chemical with properties and chemical structure similar to those of amphetamine.
Anergic. Characterized by an abnormal lack of inactivity or lack of energy.
Anorectic drugs. Drugs used or approved for weight loss.
Antagonist drug. Chemical that blocks the intended receptor activity of endogenous substances, for instance beta adrenergic antagonists block the effects of adrenergic nervous system stimulants such as epinephrine.
Antisocial personality disorder. Disorder characterized by antisocial behaviors that involve pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights, feelings, and safety of others, beginning in childhood or the early teenage years and continuing into adulthood.
Anxiety. Apprehensive feelings of anticipation of future danger or past circumstance accompanied by feelings of dysphoria or tension.
Anxiety disorders. Variety of related disorders that involve excessive or inappropriate feelings of anxiety or worry. Examples are panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and others.
Ataxia. Partial or complete loss of coordination of voluntary muscle movement.
Attention. Ability to focus on present stimulus or activity in a meaningful way.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD). Older term used to describe ADHD, sometimes used to describe disorders marked by inattention in the absence of hyperactivity.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of the most common childhood disorders that can persist through adolescence and adulthood characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity; symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.
Auditory. Referring to hearing or sound.
Avolition. Inability to initiate or persist in goal-directed activities; prevents completion of assigned work or goals.
Benzedrine. DL-amphetamine compound introduced in 1930 for cold symptoms.
Binge. Use or indulge in excessively over brief periods of time.
Bipolar disoder. A mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania or hypomania.
Black market. Illegal production, distribution, sale of a product without going through conventional restrictions or laws.
Cardiovascular. Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Cathionine (Khat). Plant with amphetamine phytochemicals, commonly chewed.
Central nervous system (CNS). The brain, spinal cord and retina make up the CNS.
Chronic. Lasting over a long period of time or recurring frequently.
Comorbidity. The occurrence of two or more disorders or illnesses in the same person, either at the same time (co-occurring comorbid conditions) or with a time difference between the initial occurrence of one and the initial occurrence of the other (sequential comorbid conditions).
Controlled Substances Act. Law passed in 1970 that organized drugs into five categories or schedules that regulate their use in the United States.
Craving. A powerful, often uncontrollable desire for specific substances, particularly drugs.
Crystal methamphetamine. Solid crystalline form of methamphetamine that’s usually smoked.
Delusion. A persistent false belief based on incorrect inference about external reality that is firmly sustained despite the usual beliefs or experiences of others or when there is proof to the contrary.
Dependence, drug. A chronic condition of relapsing physical dependence characterized by compulsive drug seeking and drug use and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain.
Depression. A disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes, suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide.
Dextroamphetamine. The D-isomer form of amphetamine, a more potent form than the L-amphetamine isomer.
Diaphoresis. Perspiration, especially excessive perspiration.
DL-amphetamine. A combination of amphetamine salts containing both D and L isomers.
Dopamine. Chemical neurotransmitter found in the brain and in sympathetic nerves associated with movement, emotions, motivation, reward mechanisms and pleasure.
Dyskinesia. Distortion of voluntary movements with involuntary muscular activity.
Dysphoria. Disquiet, restlessness, malaise.
Dystonia. Disordered tonicity of muscles.
Ecstasy. A combination of the hallucinogen MDA and methamphetamine.
Endocarditis. Inflammation of the heart lining and valves.
Endogenous. Natural substances produced within the body, for instance, hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters.
Euphoria. Intense feeling of happiness, well-being, or pleasurable excitement.
Exogenous. From without the body, for instance, hormone replacement or medications.
Hallucination. Distorted perception of objects or events; object or event that is not real but is perceived to be real; hallucinations may be auditory (hearing), gustatory (taste), olfactory (odor), tactile (touch sensations), or visual (sight).
Hallucinogen. Substance capable of causing hallucinations.
Hyperactivity. Condition of excessive movement or activity.
Hyperpyrexia. Highly elevated body temperature.
Hypertension. Condition of elevated blood pressure.
Ice see Crystal methamphetamine.
Impulsivity. Range of behaviors in which individuals act without consideration of long-term consequences.
Intravenous. Introduced into the body through a venous injection.
Isomers Position. Determines the isomer of the methyl chain of amphetamine; dex or D-amphetamine has the methyl group attached to the right of the benzene ring; levo or L-amphetamine has the methyl group attached to the left.
Khat see Cathionine.
L-amphetamine. The levo isomer of amphetamine, which is not as potent as the dextrorotary form (D-amphetamine) in its effects as a central nervous system stimulant.
Limbic system. Region of the brain that controls feelings of emotion and pleasure.
Mania. A mood disorder characterized by abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood; mental and physical hyperactivity; and/or disorganization of behavior.
MDA. 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, a hallucinogen used to make MDMA (Ecstasy).
MDMA. 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine, which is also called Ecstacy.
Mental disorder. A mental condition marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair the normal psychological or behavioral functioning of the individual.
Methamphetamine. Powerful form of amphetamine that is legally available by prescription (Desoxyn, Methedrine), which is also often illegally manufactured.
Methylphenidate. Synthetic psychostimulant chemical used primarily for the treatment of ADHD (Ritalin, Concerta).
Monoamine. An individual neurotransmitter such as serotonin or dopamine.
Mood. Pervasive and sustained emotion that colors one’s perception, such as depression, elation, anger, or anxiety; mood may be unpleasant or dysphoric; elevated with exaggerated feelings of well-being; euthymic or normal; expansive showing a lack of restraint; or irritable.
Narcolepsy. A disorder characterized by uncontrollable attacks of deep sleep sufficient to interfere with normal daily function.
Neuron. Cell of the central nervous system, including brain cells.
Neurotoxicity. Any adverse effect on the structure or function of the central or peripheral nervous system by a biological, chemical or physical agent. Neurotoxic effects may be permanent or reversible; produced by neuropharmacological or neurodegenerative properties of a neurotoxin; or the result of direct or indirect actions on the nervous system (as defined by the Interagency Committee on Neurotoxicology).
Neurotoxin. Injurious to neurons and other nervous system components.
Norepinephrine. Neurotransmitter also known as noradrenaline that helps the body prepare for emergencies by widening breathing tubes and increasing heart rate.
Paranoia. Extreme, irrational distrust of others that is accompanied by exaggerated fears.
Paranoid ideation. Ideation with less than delusional proportions involving suspiciousness or the belief that one is being harassed, persecuted, stalked, or unfairly treated.
Paranoid psychosis. Major mental disorder characterized by derangement of the personality and loss of contact with reality; characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and extreme and unfounded distrust and fear of others.
Pharmaceutical. Patent compounds sold in pharmacies, generally by prescription only.
Phenethylamine. Natural amphetamine precursor chemical without stimulant effects found in cheese and wine; degraded by enzymes before reaching the blood circulation.
Polydrug abuse. The abuse of more than one drug simultaneously.
Psychotic. Prone to delusions or hallucinations.
Psychosis. Major mental disorder characterized by personality changes, delusions, hallucinations, and unfounded fears.
Psychostimulants (psychomotor stimulants). Drugs and chemicals that stimulate the nervous system.
QT Syndrome. Prolonged QT syndrome is an inherited or acquired cardiac condition causing disrupted electrical charges in the heart and a prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiogram.
Receptor site. Site of attachment on a cell nucleus or surface where drugs bind so that they can carry out their intended actions.
Rhabdomyolysis. Disintegration or dissolution of muscle, associated with excretion of myoglobin (from muscle breakdown) in the urine.
Ritalin see Methylphenidate.
Rush. A surge of euphoric pleasure that rapidly follows administration of a drug.
Schizophrenia. A psychotic disorder characterized by symptoms that fall into two categories: (1) positive symptoms, such as distortions in thoughts (delusions), perception (hallucinations), and language and thinking and (2) negative symptoms, such as flattened emotional responses and decreased goal-directed behavior.
Self-medication. The use of a substance to lessen the negative effects of stress, anxiety, or other mental disorders (or side effects of their pharmacotherapy). Self-medication may lead to addiction and other drug- or alcohol-related problems.
Serotonin. Neurotransmitter involved in the control of mood, aggression, and sexual behavior.
Speedball. Injected mixture of “speed” usually containing cocaine and heroin.
Stereotyped movements. Repetitive, seemingly driven, and non-functional or nonproductive motor behavior, such as body rocking, head banging, biting oneself, picking at skin.
Stupor. State of unresponsiveness characterized by immobility and mutism.
Sympathomimetic amines. Class of related compounds first described in 1910 with similar structures known to induce neurotransmitter increases and stimulate the central nervous system.
Tic. Involuntary, sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic, stereotyped motor movement or vocalization.
Tolerance. Condition in which a drug user is no longer affected by therapeutic doses and requires increasing amounts of the drug to achieve the same level of effects or intoxication usually caused by smaller amounts.
Tourette’s syndrome. A neurological disorder characterized by motor (movement) and vocal tics.
Toxic. Poisonous; causing harmful effects.
Withdrawal. A variety of symptoms that occur after chronic abuse of an addictive drug is reduced or stopped.
Yaba. Thai word meaning “mad medicine” used for methamphetamine.