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Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that has been implicated in states of consciousness, mood, depression, and anxiety.
Stimulants
Drugs that enhance the activity of the brain and lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration; used to treat only a few disorders, such as narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
THC
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; the main active ingredient in marijuana, which acts on the brain to produce its effects.
Tolerance
A condition in which higher doses of a drug are required to produce the same effect as experienced initially; often leads to physical dependence.
Toxic
Temporary or permanent drug effects that are detrimental to the functioning of an organ or group of organs.
Tranquilizers
Drugs prescribed to promote sleep or reduce anxiety; this National Household Survey on Drug Abuse classification includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other types of CNS depressants.
Treatment
Planned activities designed to change some pattern of behavior(s) which has led to illness, and medications that help with withdrawal symptoms, craving, and preventing relapse. Typical activities for the treatment of alcoholism and/or drug dependence include detoxification, individual or group counseling for the addicted person, education and counseling for the family, and a structured residential program for those who have been unsuccessful in maintaining abstinence in less structured settings.
Twelve Step
Of or being a program designed to assist in the recovery from addiction or compulsive behavior, especially a spiritually-oriented program based on the principles of acknowledging one's personal insufficiency and accepting help from a higher power.
After the Twelve Steps, name for the twelve guiding concepts of the Alcoholics Anonymous program for curbing alcohol addiction.
Withdrawal
A variety of symptoms that occur after use of an addictive drug is reduced or stopped.
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