Drugs:• Psychoactive drugs change perceptions and moods• Inhibit, stimulate, or mimic chemical messengers• Interferes with neurotransmissionTolerance and Dependence:• The brain adapts to drug effects (tolerance)• Tolerance can lead to dependence• Dependence: Physical and Psychological• Withdrawal (delirium tremens)Addiction• Compulsive drug cravings despite aversive side effects• Myths:• Addictive drugs quickly corrupt• Most people will not become addicted after 1 or 2 uses• E.g., Morphine• Many more controlled, occasional users of marijuana and alcohol than addicts to these substances• Addictions need therapy to be overcome• Therapy helps some overcome addiction• However, many overcome addictions on their own• E.g., ~41 million ex-smokers quit on their own• Addiction is only for drugs• Used for other behaviors (e.g., gambling, internet use)• Problematic:• Being 'addicted' can become an excuse• Can lead to helplessness• Caution!Drugs:• Depressants: calm neural activity and slow body functions• Include: alcohol, barbiturates (tranquilizers), opiates (opium, morphine, heroin)• Stimulants: temporarily excite neural activity and arouse body functions• Include: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy (also a hallucinogen), methamphetamines (meth)• Hallucinogens: distory perceptions and evoke sensory experiences in the absence of sensory input• Include: marijuana (med uses?), LSD,
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