1. Addiction: Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, as drugs can alter the brain's structure and function, leading to changes in behavior and decision-making. Addiction can have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences, and often requires professional treatment to overcome.
2. Tolerance: Tolerance refers to the body's decreased response to a drug after repeated use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to increased drug use and the risk of overdose. Tolerance can develop with both prescription and illicit drugs, and is a common phenomenon in addiction.
3. Withdrawal: Withdrawal is the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using a drug they have become dependent on. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe illness, depending on the drug and the individual's level of dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can be a major barrier to quitting drug use, as they can be intense and difficult to manage without professional help.
4. Gateway drugs: Gateway drugs are substances that are believed to lead to the use of more dangerous drugs. Common gateway drugs include alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, as they are often used before experimenting with harder drugs like cocaine or heroin. The concept of gateway drugs highlights the progression of drug use and the potential for experimentation to lead to addiction.
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Google Gemini AI
Oct 2
1. Addiction
- A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, despite negative consequences. - Involves biochemical changes in the brain that alter the reward pathway and lead to cravings and difficulty controlling drug intake.
2. Tolerance
- A decrease in drug's effects over time, requiring increasing doses to achieve the same level of intoxication or relief. - Occurs as the body adapts to repeated drug exposure, by reducing its sensitivity to the drug.
3. Withdrawal
- A range of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone stops using a drug after prolonged use. - Severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the drug, its potency, and the individual's use patterns. - Can include anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures or death.
4. Harm Reduction
- A public health approach that seeks to minimize the negative consequences of drug use, without necessarily aiming for abstinence. - Involves strategies such as: - Providing access to clean needles and naloxone (an overdose-reversal drug) - Offering drug counseling and treatment - Educating people about drug-related risks and promoting safe practices