8. DRUGS - A chemical
substance that changes
physical, emotional, or
behavioral state of the
person taking it. It is used to
alter, sustain, or control the
recipient’s physical, mental
and emotional state.
The following are the usual words you will encounter
in studying substance use and abuse:
DRUGS OF ABUSE – are
drugs commonly abused
by users
DRUGS DEPENDENCE – is
a cluster of physiological,
behavioral and cognitive
phenomena of variable
intensity in which the use of
drug takes on high priority
there by creating a strong
desire to take the substance
DRUG ABUSE – is the use
of substance for non-
medicinal purposes. Abuse
leads to organ damage like
brain damage, and liver
damage, addiction and
troubled behavioral
patterns.
DRUG TOLERANCE – is the
condition of the body to
adapt to the effects of
substances to the body thus
requiring an even larger
amount of the substance.