abruptio placenta:

Premature detachment of a normally situated placenta

aerosolized pentamidine:

A prophylactic drug used in the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)

agonist:

A chemical that stimulates a response at a cell receptor site

agoraphobia:

A marked fear of leaving home and/or being in public places

alexithymia:

An inability to identify one's feelings

amantadine:

An antiviral drug that has been tried for the treatment of cocaine withdrawal symptoms

amenorrhea:

Abnormal absence or suppression of menstruation

amnionitis:

Inflammation of the amnion or inner membrane surrounding the fetus

anergy/anergia; anergic:

Absence of a demonstrable sensitivity reaction in a subject to substances that would be antigenic (immunogenic, allergenic) in most other subjects

anergy panel:

A test administered to determine the presence of anergia

anhedonia:

Loss of ability to feel pleasure in acts that normally cause pleasure

Antisocial Personality Disorder:

A disorder that includes a pattern of irresponsible and antisocial behavior that began in childhood or early adolescence and has continued into adulthood. For this diagnosis to be given, the individual must be at least 18 and have been diagnosed with Conduct Disorder before age 15.

anxiolytics:

Drugs used to treat anxiety; the most common members of the benzodiazepine class

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:

A disorder that includes inappropriate degrees of impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity

azidothymidine (AZT) (now called zidovudine):

An antiviral drug used in treating Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

bacteremia:

The presence of viable bacteria in the circulating blood

benzoylecgonine:

The major metabolite of cocaine

Bipolar Disorder:

A disorder that includes at least one manic episode and is generally accompanied by at least one major depressive episode

blood-brain barrier:

A membrane that separates brain tissues from circulating blood

Borderline Personality Disorder:

A disorder beginning in early adulthood that features a pattern of unstable self-image, moods, and interpersonal relationships and occurs in a variety of contexts

bromocriptine (Parlodel):

A drug that has been tried in the treatment of cocaine withdrawal

buprenorphine (Buprenex):

A partial agonist, useful in treating opioid dependence

bupropion (Wellbutrin):

An antidepressant that has been tried in the treatment of acute cocaine craving and use

cardiac disease:

Disease affecting the heart

cardiopulmonary disease:

Any disease related to the heart and lungs

cellulitis:

Diffuse inflammation of soft tissue

cerebral infarction:

Interference of blood flow to the brain that results in the death of brain tissue

chlamydia:

A sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms may include moderate or scanty discharge, urethral itching, and burning on urination; however, patients are often asymptomatic.

chorioamnionitis:

Fetal membrane inflammation caused by bacterial infection

cognitive-behavioral therapy:

A psychotherapeutic method that seeks to replace inadequate coping skills by emphasizing changing behavior or distorted ways of thinking that contribute to problems

cognitive reframing:

A relapse prevention skill training strategy that helps the drug-dependent patient find new responses to high-risk factors

compartmentalization:

Mental process by which people, places, and things are psychologically divided or partitioned into compartments or categories

congenital anomalies:

Structural or physiological abnormalities that develop before birth

coping imagery:

A therapeutic technique by which the therapist leads the patient through an alternating series of images, one set pleasant and the other anxiety-provoking, to reduce anxiety by associating the anxiety-provoking situation with a pleasant image

cranial electrostimulation:

Application of small amounts of electricity to the central nervous system using electrodes applied to the skin surface of the cranium

cross-tolerance:

A diminished response to the effects of a psychoactive chemical because of prior use of another psychoactive chemical in the same pharmacological class

cue exposure:

A cognitive-behavioral intervention that employs gradual exposure to cues to desensitize the drug-dependent patient to those cues

depression:

Depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Symptoms include decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness, appetite disturbance, weight change, feelings of inappropriate or excessive guilt, psychomotor agitation or retardation, difficulty thinking or concentrating, recurring thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

desipramine:

An antidepressant drug that may relieve cocaine craving and decrease cocaine use in certain groups of patients

diabetes:

A disorder in which an inadequate amount of insulin is produced by the pancreas. (Gestational diabetes refers to glucose intolerance occurring only during pregnancy.)

diagnostic assessment instrument:

A questionnaire administered for the purpose of obtaining information about medical, psychological, and substance abuse problems

dopamine:

A neurotransmitter that is the intermediate biochemical product occurring in the synthesis of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and melanin. Abnormalities of dopamine regulation may cause depression or psychosis.

dopamine agonists:

Chemicals that stimulate responses at dopamine receptor sites

dysphoria:

An emotional state characterized by restlessness, anxiety, and depression

Dysthymic Disorder:

A chronic but less intense form of depression

eclampsia:

Convulsions and coma that result from any of several conditions during or immediately following pregnancy

edema:

Excess accumulation of serous fluid in tissues

electroacupuncture:

Application of small amounts of electricity to staples or needles at the acupuncture points for opioid withdrawal treatment

endocrine function:

The complicated hormonal system that regulates various body processes (e.g., metabolism, growth, temperature, sexual activity, and stress response)

endogenous opioids:

Naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the body with analgesic properties

enzyme immunoassay:

A technique for analyzing and measuring the concentration of various drugs in bodily fluids such as urine or blood

fluoxetine (Prozac):

An antidepressant that has been tried as a medication to reduce cocaine craving

half-life:

Time required by living tissue, an organ, or an organism to eliminate, by biological processes, half the quantity of a substance that has been ingested

haloperidol (Haldol):

An antipsychotic drug used to treat such mental illnesses as mania and schizophrenia

harm reduction:

A philosophical approach to drug treatment recognizing that since there is not a "cure" for illicit drug abuse, steps should be taken to reduce individual and social harm caused by drug abuse

hepatic disease:

Disease of the liver

hepatitis:

Inflammation of the liver, usually from a viral infection, but sometimes from toxic agents

hyperphagia:

Ingestion of an excess of food

hypersomnolence:

Abnormal or excessive drowsiness or sleepiness

hypertension:

Abnormally high blood pressure

hypnosis:

An altered state of awareness in which the individual is extremely responsive to suggestions of the hypnotist

hypnotics:

Sleep-inducing drugs (e.g., barbiturates)

ideation:

The process of imagining, conceiving, or forming an idea

immune response:

The production of immunoglobulins, antibodies, lymphocytes, and other substances and cells to defend the body against invading foreign materials or substances (e.g., cancer cells, invading organisms, transplanted tissues)

immunocompromised:

Refers to individuals whose immune systems are damaged, today most commonly those with HIV infection

interferon:

A drug that inhibits the multiplication of viruses and increases the number of certain lymphocytes that are part of the body's immune system; also, the group of proteins that the body produces naturally

levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM):

A synthetic opioid analgesic, similar to methadone but much longer acting (it is given every third day rather than daily like methadone). It gradually produces an abstinence syndrome after chronic administration has been stopped. Symptoms are less severe than with other opioids.

lithium:

A drug used in treating bipolar disorder and mania

mania (manic):

A manifestation of bipolar disorder characterized by physical overactivity, exaggerated gaiety, and a profusion of rapidly changing ideas

MAO inhibitors:

A class of antidepressant drugs

mazindol:

A dopamine reuptake blocker that has been tried as a treatment for cocaine craving and use

metabolite:

Any of several organic compounds produced by the process of metabolism

morbidity:

A state or condition of severe illness or disease

naloxone (Narcan):

A short-acting, injectable drug that acts as an antagonist against narcotic drugs; used mainly to treat opiate overdose or as a diagnostic tool for the presence of opiate dependence

naltrexone (Trexan):

A long-acting, orally effective drug that inhibits the euphoric effects of narcotics and is used as a maintenance therapy for addicts

Narcan challenge:

Administration of naloxone to determine opioid dependence

neonatal abstinence syndrome:

A disorder in infants of drug-dependent women characterized by central nervous system hyperirritability, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and autonomic symptoms such as sneezing, yawning, mottling, and fever

neuroendocrine:

The interactions between the endocrine and nervous systems

neuroleptics:

Drugs used to treat psychosis

neurotransmitters:

Chemicals produced by nerve cells that play a role in nervous system communication

noradrenaline:

A neurotransmitter, formed naturally in the body's sympathetic nerve endings and adrenal gland, which controls a number of brain systems and is implicated in mood and anxiety disorders as well as aggressive behavior

obsessive-compulsive:

Describes a disorder characterized by obsessions (persistent thoughts, ideas, impulses, or images that are experienced as senseless and intrusive) and compulsions (purposeful, intentional, and repetitive behaviors that are performed as a response to the obsessions and are meant to neutralize or prevent discomfort or some dreaded situation)

opioid receptors:

Certain receptors (mu, delta, kappa, and lambda) on cell membranes of neurons and other cells, such as white blood cells, that produce specific physiological responses when opioid drugs are used

panic attack:

A period of extreme discomfort that often begins unexpectedly with a feeling of intense apprehension, doom, or fear and is accompanied by at least four associated symptoms (see panic disorder)

Panic Disorder:

A condition characterized by recurring panic attacks and at least four of the following symptoms: Numbness or tingling sensations; shortness of breath or smothering sensations; trembling or shaking; choking; sweating; palpitations or accelerated heart rate; flushes or chills; dizziness, unsteady feelings, or faintness; nausea or abdominal distress; chest pain or discomfort; depersonalization or derealization; fear of dying; and fear of going crazy or doing something uncontrolled

paranoid psychosis:

A fundamental mental derangement characterized by delusions of grandeur or persecution

parenteral drug abuse:

Drug abuse wherein the route of administration is injection

phobia:

A persistent and irrational fear of a specific stimulus (an object or a situation)

piloerection:

Erection of the hair

posttraumatic stress disorder:

A chronic state of anxiety that occurs after a frightening or stressful event, such as assault or rape, military combat, torture, serious physical injury, or natural disasters. Symptoms may include difficulty falling asleep, recurrent distressing dreams, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, and changes in aggression.

PPD (purified protein derivative) positive:

Positive results of a skin test for tuberculosis. This test is used as a screening method to identify individuals who have been exposed to TB.

prophylactic medication:

A drug used to prevent disease

psychiatric comorbidity:

The presence of psychiatric illness in conjunction with drug addiction; also known as dual diagnosis

psychopathology:

Pathological mental illnesses

psychosis:

Severe mental disorder, characterized by partial or complete withdrawal from reality and diminishment of normal social and intellectual functioning

psychotropic medication:

Medication for mental illness that has an altering effect on the mind

radioimmunoassay:

A laboratory technique used to diagnose infectious diseases and allergies and to measure blood hormone concentrations. It can also determine the presence or absence of antigens, antibodies, or other protein such as hormones

recidivist:

Describes the tendency to relapse into a former behavior pattern, such as criminal activity

rhinorrhea:

Nasal discharge of watery mucus

rifampin:

An antibacterial drug used in treating tuberculosis

schizophrenia:

A mental disorder, usually beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, characterized by psychotic symptoms that have been present for at least 6 months, including hallucinations, delusions, or specific disturbances in affect and form of thought

septicemia:

A systemic disease caused by the spread of microorganisms and their toxins through the bloodstream accompanied especially by chills, fever, and prostration. Also known as blood poisoning.

septic thrombophlebitis:

Infection of the veins that has led to a blockage of the venous system

serological test:

A test involving analysis of the blood serum, often used to test for syphilis

serotonin:

A neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and behavior; abnormalities in serotonin levels appear to be associated with aggression, impulsivity, anxiety, and eating disorders

sickle-cell (trait or anemia):

A hereditary disease characterized by an abnormal hemoglobin that causes the red blood cells to change to a sickle shape when there is insufficient oxygen. Symptoms can include leg ulcers and frequent pain.

social phobia:

A persistent and irrational fear of certain social situations, characterized by the individual's fear that he or she may do something embarrassing or humiliating

spontaneous abortion:

The loss of an embryo or fetus prior to the stage of viability (at about 20 weeks of gestation) as a result of natural causes

stillbirth:

The birth of a dead child or fetus

subcutaneous:

Located just beneath the skin

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS):

The unexpected death of an apparently healthy baby, usually occurring during sleep, without apparent cause

sympathomimetics:

Those agents that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system

tachycardia:

Very rapid heartbeat, over 100 beats per minute

titration (titrate):

The process of identifying the concentration of a substance in a solution

T-lymphocyte cells:

Special type of white blood cells that fight infection. Their numbers usually decrease in active cases of AIDS.

toxicology:

The study of poisons - their nature, effects, and detection - and the treatment of poisoning

tricyclic antidepressants:

A class of drugs used to treat depression

vascular disease:

A disease affecting the blood vessels