TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.

Next Prev

Diseases » Drug abuse » Glossary

Glossary for Drug abuse

Accidental injury: An injury that occurs accidentally
Adjustment Disorder: This is a maladaptive reaction to identifiable stress
Adolescent conditions: Symptoms that are evident due to puberty
Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur when alcohol consumption is discontinued or reduced. Symptoms may vary depending on the level of dependence.
Alcohol abuse: Excessive use of alcohol ranging from binge drinking to severe alcoholism
Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing syndrome: The excessive consumption of alcohol can result in symptoms similar to a condition called Cushing's syndrome. When alcohol consumption is stopped, symptoms regress.
Alcoholism: Alcoholism is the compulsive urge to drink alcohol despite knowing the negative impact on one's health.
Amnestic disorder: Memory decline disorder
Amphetamines - Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that the use of Amphetamines during pregnancy may cause a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
Anorexia Nervosa: A disorder where a distorted sense of body image leads to self-starvation to the point of death in some cases.
Anorexia nervosa, genetic types: There is mounting evidence that anorexia nervosa may be caused by genetic factors which when combined with psychosocial factors can increase a persons risk of developing the condition.
Anti-Social Personality Disorder: A psychiatric condition characterized by chronic behavioral and social problems which often involves criminal behaviour.
Appetite changes: Inappropriately reduced or increased appetite.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Behavioral disorder with hyperactivity and/or inattention.
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A condition characterized by attention problems and disruptive behavior. The condition is considered to be a grouping of three other disorders - oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Austrian syndrome: A condition where alcoholism is associated with heart failure and pneumococcal meningitis.
Barbiturate abuse: Abuse of barbiturate medications
Behavioral disorders: Disorders affecting behavior and emotional wellbeing
Behavioral symptoms: Symptoms of personal behavior.
Benzodiazepine abuse: Abuse of benzodiazepine tranquiliser medications
Bipolar disorder: Cycles of mania and depression; commonly called "manic-depression".
Bipolar disorder/cyclothymic disorder/hypomania:
Bulimia nervosa: Eating disorder with binging (overeating) and purging (vomiting).
Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic: A weakened heart mucle due to excessive alcohol consumption. Symptoms are usually not evident until the heart becomes severely damaged.
Chemical addiction: Addiction to and abuse of various substances.
Chemical poisoning: Morbid condition caused by chemical.
Cocaine - Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Cocaine during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
Delirium: Severe state of mental confusion
Dementia: Various mental impairment conditions.
Depression: Various syndromes with excessive anxiety, phobias, or fear.
Disordered Eating: Unusual and troubled eating habits
Dissociative Amnesia: The sudden loss of memory
Dissociative Identity Disorder: A neurotic mental disorder where a person's field of consciousness is limited in order to fulfill an unconscious goal. Often selective amnesia is involved and the person develops what is called multiple personalities.
Drug abuse: Addiction to any of various illicit drugs.
Drug overdose: A condition characterized by the consumption in excess of a particular drug causing adverse effects
Female reproductive toxicity: There is mounting evidence which indicates that exposure to certain agents may produce adverse reproductive or fetal developmental effects. The possible range of effects includes reduced fertility, low birth weight, childhood cancer, spontaneous abortion and birth defects. Agents which may be implicated in these adverse effects includes anticancer drugs, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, lead, pesticides, organic solvents and tobacco smoke.
Gulf War syndrome: Syndrome in military veterans of the Gulf war
HIV/AIDS: HIV is a sexually transmitted virus and AIDS is the progressive immune failure that HIV causes.
Heroin dependence: The physical and psychological dependence to the recreational drug heroin
Hodgkin's Disease: A form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Hypertension: High blood pressure
Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone production.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Episodes of explosively aggressive behavior
Isolation: Social withdrawal or isolation
Mania: Inappropriate euphoric mood
Marijuana - Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Marijuana during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
Mental changes: Any change to ones personality due to mental illness
Miscarriage: Loss of fetus without human interference
Mountain sickness: Illness from poor adjustment to low oxygen at altitude.
Myoclonic dystonia: A very rare inherited syndrome characterized mainly by mild dystonia and myoclonic jerks that occur mainly in the arms, neck and trunk. Alcohol makes the condition worse. Psychiatric disorders are also often present.
Nicotine addiction: Nicotine addiction is the uncontrollable desire to continue smoking. Smoking products contain nicotine which is a chemical that can lead to addiction if used over a period of time. Cessation causes withdrawal symptoms which can vary in nature and severity.
Nymphomania: uncontrollable urge to engage in sexual behaviour in a female.
Panic disorder: It is a severe medical condition characterized by extremely elevated mood.
Postconcussive syndrome: Symptoms that can occur following a head injury.
Pregnancy: The condition of supporting a fetus from conception till birth.
Psychiatric disorders: Any condition that affects ones mind
Psychological disorders: Any condition that affects ones mind
Pyromania: Compulsive arson and fire starting behavior disorder
Rapid heart beat: Excessively fast heart beat (fast pulse) called "tachycardia"
Restless Legs Syndrome: A neurological disorder where legs develop and crawling, aching skin sensation which is relived by moving the legs.
Schizophrenia: Psychiatric disorder with delusional beliefs and hallucinations.
Secrecy: Secrecy in behavior possibly including isolation
Self-esteem symptoms: Poor self image or self-esteem.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Various diseases spread by sexual contact.
Small baby: Small size of newborn baby
Social phobia: Excessive anxiety in social situations.
Stress: Emotional stress (sometimes refers to physical stress)
Suicide: Taking one's own life or attempting to do so.
Tourette Syndrome: A neurological disorder involving vocal and movement tics where where uncontrollable movements or verbal utterances are made.
Youth risk behavior: Risky behaviors common in young people