Unit 6 Lesson 26 Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Drug:
any substance other than food that changes the way the body or mind works.

Drug Use:
your drug taking behavior.

Responsible Drug Use:
correct use of legal drugs to promite health and well-being.

Drug Misuse:
unintentional use of an over-the-counter or prescription drug.

Drug Abuse:
intentional use of an illelgal drug or an over-the-counter or prescription drug.

Suppository:
a wax coated form of a drug that is inserted into the anus.

Receptor Site:
part of a cell where the chemical substance in a drug "fits."

Side Effect:
the unwanted body change that is not related to the main purpose of a drug.

Solubility:
the ability of a substance to be dissolved. Drugs are either water soluable or fat soluable.

Medicine:
a drug that is used to treat, prevent, or diagnose illness.

Prescription:
a written order from a licensed health professional, usually a doctor to get a drug.

Prescription Drug:
a medicine that can ge obtained only with a written order from a licensed health professional.

Pharmacist:
an allied health professional who dispenses medication prescribed by physicians.

Brand-name Drug:
a registered name or trademark given to a drug by a pharmaceutical company.

Generic-name Drug:
a drug that contains the same active ingredients as a brand-name drug.

Over-the-Counter Drug (OTC):
a drug that can be purchased without a prescription.

Tamper-resistant package:
a package with an unbroken seal that assures the buyer that the package has not been previously opened.

Drug Dependence or Addiction:
continued use of a drug even though it harms the body, mind, and relationships.

Chemical dependence or chemical addiction:
continued use of a drug even though it harms the body, mind, and relationships.

Ways Drugs Enter the Body

By Mouth
a drug taken orally is swallowed, a drug in the form of a pill, capsule or liquid may be swallowed.
The drug travels through the stomach, small intestine and then is absorbed into the bloodstream.

By Injection
a drug is injected directly under the skin, into a muscle or a blood vessel. A drug that is injected into a blood vessel can affect a person almost immediately.

By Inhalation
a drug can be inhaled through the mose or mouth. It travels to the lungs where it enters the bloodstream. Drugs that are inhaled also affect a person almost immediately.

By Absorption
a drug can be absorbed through the skin or a mucous membrane. Ointment, creams, lotions, sprays, and patches can be applied to the skin or a mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, mouth or anus.

The Effects Drugs Have on the Body are Determined by Many Factors

The Way the Drug Enters the Body
the method of dilivery affects the speed with which the drug enter the bloodstream and affects the person.

Dose
the amount of the drug taken at one time. The greater the dose, the greater the effect of the drug.

Solubility
the ability of a substanc to be dissolved. Drugs can be water-soluable and dissolve in water, or drugs can be fat-soluable. Drugs that are water-soluable do not stay in the body long. Drugs that are fat-soluable dissolve in the fat tissue and can stay int he body for weeks or even months.

Weight, Age, and Health Status
a drug will have an increased effect on someone of a lower body weight, younger age, and poorer health status.

Emotional State
how a person feels can determine the effects of a drug. If a person is depressed, using a drug that slows body actions can make a person even more depressed.

Use of other Drugs
the reactions of more than one drug in the body at the same time can have unexpected effects.