Substance Abuse Terminology

noun a person who is addicted to a particular substance or activity

verb to cause someone to become addicted to a particular substance or activity

• The psychiatrist is treating a patient who is a drug addict.
• My cousin is addicted to playing video games all day.
• I used to be a coffee addict but now I've switched to tea.
• She's a self-confessed book addict, always with her nose in a new novel.

noun the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice

• The medical community recognizes addiction as a serious health condition that requires treatment.
• My friend's addiction to video games is really affecting his grades.
• I can't believe how addicted I am to this new TV show.
• Her addiction to shopping is like a black hole that never seems to be filled.

noun a condition of being addicted to or dependent on barbiturates

• Barbiturism is a condition characterized by the chronic use of barbiturates.
• I heard that she's been struggling with barbiturism for years.
• Barbiturism can really mess you up if you're not careful.
• His obsession with work has led to a form of barbiturism, where he can't seem to relax or take a break.

noun a brand name for a drug containing amphetamine, used as a stimulant

• The doctor prescribed Benzedrine to help with my narcolepsy.
• I took some Benzedrine to stay awake during the long drive.
• I heard some people use Benzedrine as a study drug.
• His energy was like he had taken a dose of Benzedrine.

noun a powerful and addictive stimulant drug derived from the coca plant

• The police seized a large quantity of cocaine in the drug bust.
• I heard that John got caught with cocaine at the party last night.
• Some people call cocaine 'coke' or 'blow'.
• His addiction to cocaine was like a dark cloud hanging over his life.

noun a person who uses drugs, especially illegally or excessively

• The police are cracking down on drug users in the city.
• I heard that John's cousin is a drug user.
• Stay away from that guy, he's a heavy drug user.
• Being addicted to social media can turn someone into a digital drug user.

noun the state of being drunk; intoxication

• The effects of drunkenness can impair one's ability to make sound decisions.
• His drunkenness at the party last night was quite embarrassing.
• She had a bit too much to drink and ended up in a state of drunkenness.
• The drunkenness of power can lead to corruption and abuse of authority.

noun a substance that causes hallucinations or alters perception of reality

• The scientist conducted research on the effects of the hallucinogen on the brain.
• I heard that some people use hallucinogens at music festivals.
• I can't believe he took that hallucinogen last night, he was tripping all over the place.
• His wild imagination was like a natural hallucinogen, creating vivid dreams and visions.

noun a severe headache or other aftereffects caused by drinking an excess of alcohol

• She woke up with a terrible hangover after the office party.
• I can't believe how bad my hangover is from last night!
• I feel like I got hit by a truck with this hangover.
• The consequences of his actions left him with a moral hangover.

noun a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant

adjective related to or characteristic of hashish

• The possession and distribution of hashish is illegal in many countries.
• I heard he got caught with a bag of hashish last night.
• Let's roll up a hashish joint and relax by the beach.
• His mind was clouded with hashish, making it hard for him to focus on his work.

noun a strong breath out, often expressing annoyance or anger

verb to breathe out heavily and noisily, often as a sign of annoyance or anger

• She let out a huff of annoyance before continuing with her presentation.
• He let out a huff and rolled his eyes at the ridiculous request.
• She huffed and puffed her way up the stairs, out of breath.
• The storm clouds gathered, and the wind began to huff and puff ominously.

noun a substance that causes intoxication

adjective having the quality of causing intoxication

• The consumption of inebriants is strictly prohibited on this premises.
• Let's grab some inebriants and have a good time tonight.
• I can't believe he got caught with inebriants again.
• Music has always been my inebriant, lifting my spirits in times of need.

verb past participle of 'intoxicate', which means to poison or stupefy with a chemical substance such as alcohol

adjective describes a person who is affected by alcohol or drugs to the point of losing control of their faculties

• The driver was found to be intoxicated during the routine traffic stop.
• He was so intoxicated at the party last night, he couldn't even walk straight.
• She was totally wasted and intoxicated after drinking all night.
• The beauty of the sunset left me feeling intoxicated with joy.

noun a state of being intoxicated, especially by alcohol

adjective intoxicated

• The suspect was arrested for public intoxication.
• She had a bit too much to drink and ended up in a state of intoxication.
• He was so wasted, he reached a level of intoxication that was off the charts.
• The beauty of the sunset filled me with a sense of intoxication.

noun a tincture of opium, containing morphine and codeine, used as a sedative or narcotic

• The doctor prescribed laudanum to help alleviate the patient's pain.
• I heard laudanum can really knock you out if you take too much.
• Some people used to refer to laudanum as 'liquid gold' back in the day.
• She drowned her sorrows in a bottle of laudanum.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

adjective a word that describes or gives more information about a noun

• The use of mind altering drugs is strictly prohibited in this workplace.
• I heard he got caught with some mind altering drugs at the party last night.
• She's always experimenting with different mind-altering substances.
• Some people use meditation as their preferred mind altering drug.

noun a drug or other substance affecting mood or behavior and sold for nonmedical purposes, especially an illegal one

adjective relating to or denoting narcotics or their effects

• The doctor prescribed a narcotic painkiller to manage the patient's post-operative pain.
• I heard that some people abuse narcotics to get high.
• I can't believe he's still hooked on that narcotic stuff.
• Her love for him was like a narcotic, addictive and all-consuming.

noun a medicine containing opium, benzoic acid, camphor, and anise oil, used to treat diarrhea

• The doctor prescribed a dose of paregoric to alleviate the patient's severe cough.
• I heard that paregoric can help with a bad cough.
• My grandma swears by paregoric for any kind of ache or pain.
• His soothing words acted like a paregoric on her troubled mind.

noun a person who is addicted to or frequently uses pills, especially prescription drugs

• The doctor warned about the dangers of becoming a pillhead due to excessive use of prescription medication.
• I heard that guy is a total pillhead, always popping painkillers for every little ache.
• Don't hang out with that pillhead, he's always looking for a quick fix.
• His addiction to social media turned him into a digital pillhead, constantly seeking validation online.

verb to have as belonging to one; own

adjective controlled or influenced by an evil spirit

• The suspect was found to be possessed by an evil spirit during the exorcism ritual.
• I think my friend is possessed by the need to always be right.
• That new video game has me possessed - I can't stop playing it!
• Her eyes possessed a fierce determination as she approached the finish line.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word (such as a, an, or the) used with a noun to limit it or make it clearer

• The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol during the roadside sobriety test.
• I can't believe he drove under the influence last night!
• She got caught driving under the influence and now has to face the consequences.
• His decision-making was impaired while under the influence of peer pressure.

noun a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system

adjective relating to or characteristic of methamphetamine

• The use of methamphetamine can have serious long-term effects on the brain and body.
• I heard that methamphetamine is a really dangerous drug that can mess you up.
• I can't believe he's still using meth, that stuff is no joke.
• His addiction to methamphetamine was like a dark cloud hanging over his life.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

• It is not advisable to drink and dial as it may lead to embarrassing or inappropriate phone calls.
• I always end up drink and dialing my ex when I've had too much to drink.
• I got so drunk last night, I started drink and dialing all my friends just to chat.
• Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we end up drink and dialing our problems instead of facing them head-on.

noun a substance that is sprinkled or sprayed on a marijuana cigarette

• The substance known as angel dust is a powerful hallucinogen that can have dangerous effects on the brain and body.
• I heard some people at the party were using angel dust, but I stayed away from it.
• I can't believe he's still into that angel dust stuff, it's so risky.
• Her mind was clouded with angel dust, making it hard for her to think clearly.

verb the act of inserting drugs or alcohol into the rectum for a faster and more intense high

• The medical community does not condone the practice of boofing as a means of drug administration.
• I heard some people at the party were boofing last night, but I didn't stick around to see.
• I can't believe he's still boofing, he needs to find a healthier way to cope with his stress.
• She's been boofing her responsibilities at work, and it's starting to catch up with her.

adjective describing something that can be easily abused or taken advantage of

• The new software has several abusable features that need to be addressed.
• Be careful with that loophole, it's really abusable.
• Dude, that power-up is so abusable in the game.
• Her kindness is abusable by those who take advantage of her.