1. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 1
Psychoactive Drugs and Neuropsychological Illness
Erin N. Bosman
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; Harlaxton College

2. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 2
Psychoactive Drugs and Neuropsychological Illness
Psychoactive drugs are substances that act to alter mood, though, or behavior
(Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 173). Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol are amongst the
substances that make up the category of psychoactive drugs. Anxiolytic and sedatives,
hypnotics or sleeping pills, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers are five
categories that make up psychoactive medications (http://www.cqld.ca/livre/en/en/16-
medicaments.htm, n.d.). They are used both to manage neuropsychological illnesses and
used socially. They are also often abused (http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-
drugs/, n.d.). Psychoactive substances are often used to reduce anxiety, insomnia, and
depression among other problems. Psychopharmacology is the study of how drugs affect
the nervous system and behavior, and psychoactive drugs can lead to neuropsychological
illnesses when abused (Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 173).

3. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 3
References
Psychoactive Drugs Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit Substances. (n.d.). Retrieved February
19, 2015, from http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-drugs/
PSYCHOACTIVE MEDICATIONS. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from
http://www.cqld.ca/livre/en/en/16-medicaments.htm
Blow, F. (2004). Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Prescription Drugs and Over-the-
Counter Medications. In Substance abuse among older adults. Rockville, MD:
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment.
Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. (2001). How do drugs and hormones influence the brain and
behavior? In An introduction to brain and behavior (4th ed.). New York: Worth.