Glossary
Chapter 13

Addiction	Compulsive and uncontrollable behavior(s) or use of substance(s).
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)	A depressant drug that affects the brain and slows down central nervous system activity; has strong addictive properties.
Alcoholism	Disease in which an individual loses control over drinking alcoholic beverages.
Amotivational syndrome	A condition characterized by loss of motivation, dullness, apathy, and no interest in the future.
Amphetamine	Powerful central nervous system stimulants.
Cardiomyopathy	A disease affecting the heart muscle.
Cirrhosis	A disease characterized by scarring of the liver.
Cocaine	2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-betabenozoxytropane, the primary psychoactive ingredient derived from coca plant leaves.
Cold turkey	Eliminating a negative behavior all at once.
Dopamine	A neurotransmitter that affects emotional, mental, and motor functions.
Heroin	A potent drug that is a derivative of opium.
Marijuana	A psychoactive drug prepared from a mixture of crushed leaves, flowers, small branches, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant cannabis sativa.
Methamphetamine	A more potent form of amphetamine.
Nicotine	Addictive compound found in tobacco leaves.
Risk factors	Lifestyle and genetic variables that may lead to disease.
Synergistic action	The effect of mixing two or more drugs, which can be much greater than the sum of two or more drugs acting by themselves.
Tachycardia	Faster-than-normal heart rate.
Tar	Chemical compound that forms during the burning of tobacco leaves.

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