Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

BECOMING AN 
INFORMED CONSUMER 
of Psychology
Identifying Drug and Alcohol Problems
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K E Y T E R M S
psychoactive drugs p. 159
addictive drugs p. 159
stimulants p. 161
depressants p. 164
narcotics p. 167
hallucinogen p. 168
170 Chapter 
5 
States of Consciousness
1.
psychoactive; 2.
1-b, 2-c, 3-a; 
3. 1-S, 2-S, 3-D, 4-N, 5-H; 
4.
true; 
5.
Methadone
R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K
R E C A P
What are the major classifi cations of drugs, and what are their 
effects?
• Drugs can produce an altered state of consciousness. 
However, they vary in how dangerous they are and in 
whether they are addictive. (p. 159)
• Stimulants cause arousal in the central nervous 
system. Two common stimulants are caffeine and 
nicotine. More dangerous are cocaine and amphet-
amines, which in large quantities can lead to convul-
sions and death. (p. 161)
• Depressants decrease arousal in the central nervous sys-
tem. They can cause intoxication along with feelings of 
euphoria. The most common depressants are alcohol and 
barbiturates. (p. 164)
• Alcohol is the most frequently used depressant. Its initial 
effects of released tension and positive feelings yield to 
depressive effects as the dose of alcohol increases. Both 
heredity and environmental stressors can lead to alcohol-
ism. (p. 164)
• Morphine and heroin are narcotics, drugs that produce 
relaxation and relieve pain and anxiety. Because of their 
addictive qualities, morphine and heroin are particularly 
dangerous. (p. 167)
• Hallucinogens are drugs that produce hallucinations or 
other changes in perception. The most frequently used 
hallucinogen is marijuana, which has several long-term 
risks. Two other hallucinogens are LSD and Ecstasy. 
(p. 168)
• A number of signals indicate when drug use becomes 
drug abuse. A person who suspects that he or she has a 
drug problem should get professional help. People are 
almost never capable of solving drug problems on their 
own. (p. 169)