Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Glossary

This glossary provides definitions for alcoholism or drug abuse related terms that are unfamiliar to you. These definitions reflect the best of my understanding, however, please don’t rely on them as being scientifically rigorous. They are for information only and are not intended as exact scientific or medical definitions. If you see any errors in the glossary, please feel free to let me know and I will do my best to correct them.

12-Step Program: An anonymous recovery and support group based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step alcoholism recovery program.

Acute: Refers to a short term, intense occurrence of a symptom, disease or condition.

Addiction: The chronic need to use drugs or alcohol due to a physical, genetic or psychological dependence.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): A deficiency in a body's natural immunity to diseases, that develops as a result of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Those with a deficient immune system are at risk for illnesses that a healthy immune system would normally resist.

Alcohol: A common reference for fermented or distilled beverages that contain the intoxicating substance ethanol. Alcohol is an organic chemical that can come in several forms, including ethyl, methyl and propyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is the intoxicating chemical found in alcoholic drinks. All alcohols are poisonous if consumed inappropriately. Methyl alcohol (also known as methanol or wood alcohol) has been know to cause blindness and should never be consumed. Similarly, propyl alcohol or propanol should also never be consumed.

Alcohol Abuse: A term that refers to the chronic, excessive use of alcoholic beverages, to the point that an individual’s relationships, work and health are negatively affected.

Alcoholism: A chronic consumption of alcohol despite the negative consequences of alcohol use. Generally associated with an inability to limit drinking combined with a need to increased amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effect. Alcoholism is generally considered a disease that is progressive and, without treatment or intervention, eventually fatal. Alcoholism has both psychological and physical components with severe withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is withheld.

Alcohol Tolerance: As excessive drinking continues the body adapts. Over time, increasing amounts of alcohol are needed to feel the same effects.

Alcohol Withdrawal: Within one to four days from having their last drink an alcoholic begins to feel physical reactions to the elimination of alcohol in the body. Among others, the reactions can include physical discomfort, itching, seizures or disruption of sleep.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis: A disease of the liver that involves damage to liver cells as a result of chronic alcohol abuse. Cirrhosis can lead to death.

Alcoholic Dementia: Cognitive deficiencies such as loss of memory and difficulty solving common life problems due to brain dysfunction caused by chronic alcohol abuse.

Alcoholic’s Anonymous: A self-help organization devoted to helping alcoholic’s looking to find and maintain sobriety. Originated the 12-step recovery program that has been adopted by similar self-help organizations.

Amyl Nitrite: An inhaled relaxant that is often used as a sexual enhancer. To learn more, click here.

Anabolic Steroid: Prescription drug often taken inappropriately to enhance athletic performance. To learn more, click here.

Aversive Conditioning: A behavior modification therapy that is used to force an alcoholic or addict to change their using behavior. The conditioning usually consists of repeatedly pairing a negative stimulus with the target behavior.

Barbiturate: A relaxant drug sometime used to generate a state of euphoria. To learn more, click here.

Binge Drinking: Is a type of alcohol abuse that involves drinking excessive amounts of alcohol at one time, while most of the time abstaining from alcohol. A binge-drinking episode usually involves greater than four to six drinks, depending on body weight, in a relatively short period of time. This is a common practice among college student drinkers.

Blackout: A form of amnesia that occurs during a period of alcohol or drug induced intoxication.

Blood Alcohol Level: The amount of alcohol in the blood calculated as a percentage. In most states in the USA a person with a blood alcohol level of .08% is considered to be legally intoxicated.

Cannabis: The botanical name for the marijuana plant. To learn more, click here.

Chemical Dependence: The continued use of drugs or alcohol, to the point of adversely affecting one’s life, in spite of adverse consequences.

Chronic: Refers to a persistent, long-term or recurring occurrence of a symptom, disease or condition.

Club drugs: Refers to a variety of drugs often used at dance clubs, dance parties, and bars. They include a number of types of drugs including Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine and Benzodiazepines.

Cocaine: A highly addictive stimulant and euphoric. To learn more, click here.

Codeine: An addictive opiate that has sedative and pain-relieving properties. To learn more, click here.

Co-Dependence: Behaviors often observed in individuals that live with alcohol or drug abusers. Often manifests with the person taking responsibility for the actions of the abuser, sometimes to the extent of ignoring their own needs. This behavior is often adopted in order to avoid facing ones own problems, particularly as they relate to the relationship with the alcoholic or addict.

DEA: Drug Enforcement Administration. A division of the U.S. Department of Justice charged with enforcing Federal drug laws.

Delirium Tremens (DTs): A syndrome that can arise when a chronic heavy drinker ceases alcohol consumption, usually beginning in two to four days. Symptoms can include sweating, hallucinations, intense confusion, itchiness, feelings of terror, severe anxiety, and uncontrolled trembling.

Denial: A psychological defense mechanism where a person rejects or denies the existence of any facts, knowledge or feelings that are too painful for them to accept. To learn more, click here.

Depressant: Any of a number of substances that relieve anxiety or induce sleep by sedating the central nervous system. Some of the common depressant substances are alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers and benzodiazepines.

Depression: An extended period of sadness combined with difficulty concentrating and a general tendency towards inactivity. If medically based, can last for months or years if untreated.

Designer Drugs: Drugs manufactured with characteristics similar to those on the controlled substances list. Because they are chemically similar but not identical to those on the list, the theory is that producers and distributors cannot be charged with distributing illegal drugs. These drugs are often extremely dangerous.

Detoxification: The process the body goes through when the substance it is accustomed to having is not longer consumed. This is an aspect of alcohol and drug withdrawal that has symptoms such as sweating, anxiety and shaking that can last for many days.

Distillation: When an already fermented liquid, such as a fruit / grain, sugar and yeast mixture, is boiled with the resulting steam being collected and condensed, the liquid resulting from the condensed steam has a higher concentration of alcohol. Most distilled alcoholic beverages are known as liquor.

D-methamphetamine: Is a variation of the type of drug generally known as amphetamines. To learn more, click here.

Dopamine: A chemical that regulates brain processes related to pleasure, emotions, motivation and movement.

Downers: A term that refers to the general class of drugs that are considered Depressants (see above).

Drug Abuse: A term that refers to the chronic, excessive non-medical use of drugs, to the point that an individual’s relationships, work and health are negatively affected.

Drug Tolerance: Decreasing responsiveness to a drug, often brought about by physical changes in the body or the brain, that is usually progressive. As drug tolerance increases, the drug user requires increasing quantities of their drug of choice to achieve the desired result.

Drug: In context of drug abuse, any substance or chemical compound that alters the functioning of the body and/or the brain. Drugs are often habit forming. Technically, this description would include alcoholic beverages, however, most substance abuse literature separates out alcohol as a special case and considers drug abuse to be the abuse of any substance other than alcohol.

DUI: An acronym that stands for Driving Under the Influence of either alcohol or drugs. See Impaired Driving. (see below)

DWI: An acronym that stands for Driving While Impaired or Driving While Intoxicated. See Impaired Driving. (see below)

Ecstasy: A common name for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Ecstasy has stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. To learn more, click here.

Endorphin: A hormone produced in the brain that relieves pain. Certain drugs and physical activities can stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.

Ethanol: The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages that is produced by the fermentation of natural sugars. Also known as ethyl alcohol.

Falling Off the Wagon: A return to drinking after a period of sobriety either through self-restraint or intervention. Usually used to refer to a return to alcohol abuse.

Fermentation: The naturally occurring anaerobic chemical process that converts sugars into alcohol by the action of yeast. The process is used in the making of beer, wine and bread.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Any of a group of birth defects or abnormalities that can occur in children born to mothers that consumed alcohol while they were pregnant. To learn more, click here.

Fortification: Is the process of increasing the alcohol content of a beverage, and hence its strength, through the addition of ethyl alcohol.

Hallucination: An experience of or distortion of any of the five primary senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell) that has no external cause. Hallucinations are often the associated with the use of certain classes of drugs.

Hallucinogen: A drug or substance that causes hallucinations. To learn more, click here.

Hangover: Bodily symptoms that are the side effects of excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs. Among others, the symptoms can include headache, upset stomach, vomiting, nausea and weakness.

Heroin: A highly addictive opiate that is derived from morphine. To learn more, click here.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): A virus that attacks and damages the immune system leading to AIDS and secondary infection symptoms. Alcoholic addicts are at risk for HIV infection if they engage in unprotected sexual relations or share needles.

Impaired Driving: In most jurisdictions, impaired driving includes driving or being in control of a motor vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For alcohol, impairment is usually determined by measuring blood-alcohol level (BAL).

Impairment: Reduced or diminished ability to function or think. Use of alcohol or drugs decreases motor function and interferes with the ability to think or react quickly to an emergency.

Ingestion: The act of consuming something or introducing something into the body through the mouth.

Inhalant: Any drug or substance that is breathed into the lungs, such as smoke, vapor or gas. To learn more, click here.

Injection: The process of introducing a substance into the body through the skin by use of a needle.

Intervention: An intervention occurs when the family, friends and/or employer of an alcoholic addict work with an intervention specialist to convince the alcoholic addict to address the effects of or change their drinking or drugging behavior.

Intoxication: The state of impairment that results from the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Liver: An organ in the abdomen that removes waste products and toxins, such as alcohol, from the blood. Long-term abuse of alcohol can damage the liver.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): A powerful hallucinogenic and mood changing drug. To learn more, click here.

Marijuana: A common drug that is made from the dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. To learn more, click here.

Methadone: A synthetic opiate that is often used as a substitute for heroin. To learn more, click here.

Methylphenidate: A stimulant with effects similar to but milder than amphetamines. To learn more, click here.

Morphine: A pain-relieving drug derived from the opium plan. To learn more, click here.

Naltexone: A drug sometimes used in treating alcoholism that reduces alcohol cravings.

Narcotic: A drug that causes a state of drowsiness or stupor. Narcotics often have the potential for being addictive.

Nitrites: A class of inhalants that are used as sexual enhancers. To learn more, click here.

Opiate: Any of a number of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy. To learn more, click here.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drug: Any drug that can be sold legally without a prescription from a physician.

Phencyclidine (PCP): A hallucinogenic drug that can cause extreme delusions and agitation. To learn more, click here.

Placebo: An inert substance that is substituted for an actual drug. Often used in drug trials.

Placebo Effect: The reaction a user has to a placebo simply because they believe that they are taking the substance they are expecting. An individual evidencing the placebo effect can demonstrate all of the signs that are normally associated with the substance for which the placebo is substituted.

Prescription Drug: Any drug that can only be sold legally with a prescription from a physician or other authorized person.

Psychedelic: A drug that alters brain function and thought processes. LSD is one of the most widely known psychedelics. Psychedelics are part of the class of drugs known as hallucinogens. To learn more, click here.

Psychoactive Drug: A substance that alters the way the brain functions thereby altering mood or behavior.

Recidivism: A return to a behavior that has been halted either through self-restraint or intervention. Often used to refer to a return to drug taking or criminal behavior.

Rehabilitation: The process of restoring a person to a healthier state of being. Often used to refer to a cessation of drug or alcohol abuse and addressing the problems that were caused by prior use.

Reinforcement: The positive effects of using drugs or alcohol that promotes their continued use. These positive effects can include euphoria, reduced anxiety, relaxation, excitement, stimulation and a sense of well being.

Rush: The surge of pleasure or euphoria that follows shortly after ingesting certain drugs.

Sedative: A substance that calms and relaxes. In excessive amounts it can lead to sleepiness, loss of consciousness or death, particularly if combined with alcohol.

Self Help Group: A group that meets to share information and support each other through discussion and shared problem solving.

Side Effect: A secondary effect that is associated with the use of a drug for its primary effect. Most side effects are usually considered undesirable.

Stimulant: A substance that increases brain activity producing euphoria, alertness and wakefulness. The following are usually considered stimulants: amphetamines, cocaine, ketamines and methylphenidates.

Substance Abuse: The excessive use of any substance, particularly ones that produce negative side effects when overused. Usually applied to the injudicious use of alcohol or drugs, but can refer to excessive use of tobacco or food.

Syndrome: The entire set of symptoms and characteristics associated with a disorder.

Tolerance: See Alcohol Tolerance or Drug Tolerance earlier in this glossary.

Toxic: The permanent or temporary poisonous effects associated with ingesting a substance that can negatively affect body systems or organs.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical and psychological reactions to the sudden discontinuation of alcohol or other addictive substances. Common symptoms include aggression, anxiety, convulsions, dehydration, dizziness, insomnia, itching, muscle pain, nausea, seizures, sweating, tremors, vomiting, and weakness.

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Glossary of Terms