Defintions

Defintions

Substance abuse means that substances are being taken for purposes that they were not originally intended (e.g. Morphine). Rosenhan and Seligmen’94 defined it as heavy daily use and not being able to stop. Problems with general functioning and having these problems for a month or more.
Craving is the strong desire to consume a substance.
Psychological dependence is when you are compelled to take a substance even when not physically dependent upon it and rely on it to make you feel good and activities may centre around it.
Withdrawal is the negative symptoms that are experienced when someone stop taking a substance on which they have become physically dependent.
Tolerance is part of physical dependency is a reduction in response to a drug and more and more is needed to get the same effect (although eventually a plateau is reached).
Synapse is a gap between two neurons.
Physical dependence is when a body has got use to a substance and its use has become part of the normal functioning of the body; and the body needs it to function.
Relapse is when someone has managed to stop using a substance but then returns to abusing it.
Addiction is the compulsive need for a habit-forming substance; when physically and or psychologically dependent on it.

Substance abuse- Drugs and their effects
Synaptic Functioning
Biological explanation of drug abuse description:
When you take drugs it alters levels of neurotransmitters which in turn alters our mood; so people take drugs to alter/lift their mood. For example, when you take cocaine, it increases



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