Drug Basics & Influences
A substance that modifies the functioning of the mind and/or body.
What is a drug?
Using a substance in a way other than intended or directed.
What is substance misuse?
Chemical messengers that carry signals between neurons.
What are neurotransmitters?
The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream.
What is absorption?
The addictive drug found in cigarettes and most vaping products.
What is nicotine?
A student refuses to use a substance because it conflicts with his personal beliefs about staying healthy. This type of influence is guiding his decision.
What is an internal influence?
Taking a prescription medication exactly as directed by the healthcare provider who prescribed it.
What is appropriate substance use?
The small gap between neurons where chemical messages travel.
What is the synapse?
The process by which a drug moves through the bloodstream to organs and tissues.
What is distribution?
As cigarette smoking declined, tobacco companies turned to this newer product as another way to deliver nicotine.
What are e-cigarettes/vaping products?
A student begins to believe vaping is harmless after repeatedly seeing social media posts that portray vaping as safe and normal. This type of influence is shaping the student's belief.
What is an external influence?
Taking more than the recommended dose of an over-the-counter medication.
What is substance misuse?
The neurotransmitter strongly associated with the brain's reward and motivation system.
What is dopamine?
The process by which the body chemically breaks down a drug.
What is metabolism?
These additives helped make vaping products especially appealing to young people by creating fruit, candy, mint, and other tastes.
What are flavors/flavorings?
Two factors that can influence the effects a drug has on a person.
What are history, expectations, and other individual factors (only two needed).
A factor that decreases the likelihood that a person will misuse substances.
What is a protective factor?
This part of the brain is not fully developed in young people, which is one reason substance use can be especially harmful during adolescence.
What is the frontal lobe?
The organ primarily responsible for metabolizing many drugs.
What is the liver?
Following growing evidence about the dangers of smoking, this type of warning began appearing on cigarette packages to inform consumers about health risks.
What is the Surgeon General's warning?
Two examples of substances that may be misused for drug-like effects even though they are not considered drugs.
What are glue, aerosol sprays, gasoline, whipped cream aerosol cans (any two).
A problematic pattern of substance use that causes significant impairment or distress.
What is Substance Use Disorder?
The brain system that can be changed by repeated drug use and plays an important role in addiction.
What is the reward system?
The process by which drugs and their metabolites are removed from the body, primarily through the kidneys.
What is elimination?
Besides the Surgeon General's warning on cigarette labels, name two initiatives or policies implemented to reduce or prevent cigarette smoking.
What are increased tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws/bans, restrictions on advertisements, raising the minimum ages to purchase tobacco, and public education/anti-smoking campaigns (any two)?