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Maturing Out
The changing of one's reactions to, need for, and style of drug use as one's values and place in society change through his or her lifestyle.
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Addiction
As defined by Jaffe, "A behavioral pattern of drug use characterized by overwhelming involvement with the compulsive use of a drug, securing its supply, and associated with a high tendency to relapse after withdrawal."
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Euphoria
An exaggerated feeling of well-being or mild elation.
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Habituation
The act of becoming accustomed to the use of a drug; the mental equivalent of physical tolerance and dependence on drugs.
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Compulsion
A repetitive act to relieve fear connected with obsession and driven by one's subconscious against one's wishes; if denied causes increasing anxiety.
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Endorphins
Naturally occurring substances in the body that act as an endogenous source of pain killers.
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Family Studies
Genetic studies that involve evaluating families to ascertain whether a particular phenotype runs in the family.
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Adoption Studies
Genetic studies that evaluate behavioral traits of adopted siblings.
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Twins-reared-apart studies
Genetic studies that evaluate the behavioral traits of twins separated at birth.
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Twin Studies
Genetic studies that evaluate the behavioral traits of twins reared together.
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Tolerance
When the regular use of a drug increases the threshold needed to achieve the desired effect.
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Cross-tolerance
When the regular use of one drug increases the threshold needed to achieve the desired effect of another drug.
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Desensitization
The condition where an organism, after multiple injections of the same drug, no longer responds to the pharmacological effects of that drug; a product of tolerance.
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Peer Group
A group of individuals that are closely associated within a particular environment and exert behavioral effects over other members of the group.
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Methadone
A synthetic analgesic drug with potency equal to that of morphine, but with a narcotic action weaker than morphine. Often used for withdrawal from heroin addictions.
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Neuron
A nerve cell, the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Contains a body, axon, and dendrite.
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Neurosis
A mental or psychic disorder irrespective of etiology.
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Neurotransmitter
A biochemical substance released from the neuron that is responsible for inter-neuron signal transduction.
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Placebo
An inactive substance given to patients to satisfy a patient's demand for medicine or to evaluate the efficacy of a study drug.
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Addictive Inheritance
The genetic theory of addiction that attempts to separate the genetic and environmental factors of addictive behavior.
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Asian Flushing
A characteristic flushing that occurs in people of Asian decent when drinking alcohol; a result of deficiency in the production of acetaldehyde.
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Acetaldehyde
An enzyme important in the metabolism of alcohol.
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Schizophrenia
A psychosis characterized by loss of contact with the environment and by disintegration of personality.
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Manic-depression
Cyclic psychosis in which there are alternating moods of depression and mania.
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Hallucinogen
An intoxicant and narcotic that produces telepathy, fantastical visions, hallucinations, and other psychic effects.
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Axon
A process of a neuron that conducts impulses away from the cell body.
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Dendrite
A process of a neuron that conducts impulses towards the cell body.
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Pre-synaptic terminal
The distal portion of the neuron that is anatomically proximal to the synaptic junction.
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Post-synaptic terminal
The proximal portion of the neuron that is anatomically distal to the synaptic junction.
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Synaptic Junction
The point of junction in a neural pathway that is between two neurons.
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Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
A compound containing adenine, ribose and phosphate (3 phosphoric acids) that serves as an energy source within the body.
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Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)
A compound containing adenine, ribose and phosphate (2 phosphoric acids) that serves as and energy source within the body.
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Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
A cyclic compound containing adenine, ribose and phosphate (1 phosphoric acid) that is important in cellular signaling.
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Dopamine
A neurotransmitter that is found in abundance in areas of the brain that moderate behavior.
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Monoamine Oxidases
Enzymes in the pre-synaptic terminal that degrade dopamine and other neurotransmitters.