Media guide glossary

A

Addict

is a drug user whose use causes them serious physical, social or psychological problems. As it is a much-abused term, many people prefer to talk of problem drug users instead.

Addiction

implies that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user (referred to as an addict). They may be chronically intoxicated, have great difficulty stopping the drug use, and be determined to obtain the drug by almost any means. The term addiction is inextricably linked to society's reaction to the user, and so medical experts try to avoid using it, preferring dependence instead.

Analgesic

a pain-killer

B

Benzodiazepines

are the most commonly prescribed minor tranquillisers (for daytime anxiety relief) and hypnotics (to promote sleep). They include products such as Valium, temazepam and Mogadon.

C

Chaotic use

is when an individual is regarded as taking a drug or drugs in a spontaneous way that tends not to follow any typical drug-using pattern. It is generally associated with problematic bouts of heavy use that may cause the user harm.

Controlled drugs

in the UK are preparations subject to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985. These drugs are divided into five schedules covering import, export, production, supply, possession, prescribing, and appropriate record keeping. The first schedule deals with drugs such as LSD and cannabis for which medical prescription is not available. The strictest schedules for prescribed drugs are 2 and 3 and these include opioids, stimulants and most barbiturates.

D

Dependence

describes a compulsion to continue taking a drug in order to feel good or to avoid feeling bad. When this is done to avoid physical discomfort or withdrawal, it is known as physical dependence; when it has a psychological aspect (the need for stimulation or pleasure, or to escape reality) then it is known as psychological dependence.

Depressant

is a drug that acts on the central nervous system to suppress neural activity in the brain. Opioids and sedatives are both classes of depressants.

Designer drugs

is a term coined in the 1980s to describe drugs specifically synthesised to circumvent regulations on controlled substances. Ecstasy is often cited as a designer drug, but this is incorrect. As an analogue of amphetamine, there was no need for new legislation to control its use when it became popular. The most recent example in America was Fentanyl, a painkilling drug many more times potent than morphine.

Detoxification

is the process by which a user withdraws from the effects of a drug. It usually refers to withdrawal in a safe environment (a detoxification/detox centre), with help on hand to minimise the unpleasant symptoms.

Drug use/misuse/abuse

drug use is an easy term to understand. Misuse and abuse are more difficult to pin down, as they are highly subjective. In most circles, misuse means using in a socially unacceptable way. However, the definition currently being adopted defines misuse as using drugs in a way that results in experience of social, psychological, physical or legal problems related to intoxication and or regular consumption. Abuse, regarded by many as too judgmental, as it connotates impropriety regardless of how the drug is being used. In general, abuse means using drugs in a harmful way. As abuse and misuse can be morally 'loaded' terms, many people prefer to talk of drug taking or talk of harmful or problematic use instead, when appropriate.

F

Flashbacks

are hallucinations which occur a long time after a drug (often LSD) has been used.

H

Hallucinogenic

is a drug which induces hallucinations and alters perceptions (eg, LSD, ecstasy).

Harm reduction

is a term that covers activities and services that acknowledge the continued drug use of individuals, but seek to minimise the harm that such behaviour causes.

I

Intoxication

also describes the states of being under the influence of a drug. Can also be applied to alcohol.

is a drug which induces hallucinations and alters perceptions (eg, LSD, ecstasy).

usually refers to drugs which are seen to be more dangerous and more likely to cause dependency such as heroin and crack cocaine than those designated as 'soft' such as cannabis and LSD. Obviously there is an element of truth in the distinction, but it is generally a value judgement used for propaganda purposes by both pro and anti-drug lobbies and is so best avoided. The terms 'hard' and 'soft' when applied to drugs have no legal or pharmacological validity.

J

Junkies

a derogatory and insulting term for dependent drug user or addict. There is no accepted use of the term.

L

Legal highs

are drugs that do not fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act, although they may be controlled under the Medicines Act. Most are herbal (also called herbal highs) such as ephedrine, yohimbine and salvia divinorum, but some such as poppers are synthetic or processed. Many are sold as legal and safe alternatives to illegal drugs, but are usually retailed without a license, and are not without their own risks to health.

N

Narcotics

are commonly used to mean any illicit drug, especially in America. However, the term technically refers to chemicals which induce stupor, coma, or insensibility to pain, such as opiates or opioids.

O

Opiates

are derived from the opium poppy (eg, morphine, codeine, heroin).

Opioids

include both opiates and their synthetic analogues (eg, methadone, pethidine).

Over The Counter (OTC)

is the use of any drug in such quantities that acute adverse physical or mental effects occur. It can be deliberate or accidental; lethal or non-lethal.

Overdose (OD)

is the use of any drug in such quantities that acute adverse physical or mental effects occur. It can be deliberate or accidental; lethal or non-lethal.

P

Paraphernalia

is the equipment for drug taking (eg, silver foil, spoon).

Pharmaceutical drugs

are those drugs available from chemists, either on a prescription or over the counter.

Polydrug use

is the use of more than one drug, often with the intention of enhancing or countering the effects of another drug. Polydrug use may however simply occur because the user's preferred drug is unavailable (or too expensive) at the time.

Prescribed drugs

are those drugs obtained on a prescription. May refer to methadone and other opioids or to tranquillisers and anti-depressants.

Problem drug use

tends to refer to drug use which could be either dependent or recreational. In other words, it is not necessarily the frequency of drug use which is the primary 'problem', but the effects that drug taking has on the user's life (ie, they may experience social, financial, psychological, physical or legal problems as a result of their drug use).

Psychedelic

was coined in 1956 by the LSD researcher Humphrey Osmond, and literally means 'soul manifesting' - an activation of consciousness. Although virtually synonymous with hallucinogenic, psychedelic implies that the drug or experience acts as a catalyst to further feelings and thoughts, and is not merely hallucinatory.

Psychoactive or psychotropic

are perhaps the most all-encompassing ways of describing mood altering drugs in general, though they are more often used to describe LSD and similar hallucinogenic drugs.

R

Recreational drug use

is the use of drugs for pleasure or leisure. The term is often used to denote the use of ecstasy and other 'dance drugs', and implies that drug use has become part of someone's lifestyle (even though they may only take drugs occasionally).

S

Sedative

is a depressant which acts on the central nervous system to relieve anxiety and induce calmness/sleep (eg, barbiturates, benzodiazepines).

Smart drugs

are drugs which are supposed to increase mental performance.

Stimulant

is a drug which acts on the central nervous system to increase neural activity in the brain (eg, amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, and - if used in high quantities - antidepressants and certain opioids).

T

Tolerance

refers to the way the body gets used to the repeated presence of a drug, meaning that higher doses are needed to maintain the same effect.

Tranquillisers

are calming drugs used to manage various mental disorders. They can be differentiated from sedatives in that (unless used in high doses) they do not interfere with thought processes or send the user to sleep.

V

Volatile substances

refers to all solvents and inhalants (not as is sometimes thought, to aerosols only).

W

Withdrawal

is the body's reaction to the sudden absence of a drug to which it has adapted. The effects can be stopped either by taking more of the drug, or by 'cold turkey' - which may last for up to a week.