Addiction Glossary

The purpose of this addiction glossary is to assist in identifying the signs of specific substance addictions, relay their dangers, and explain the proper treatment processes. This comprehensive list aims to make navigating addiction and treatment a little easier. You and your loved ones have enough to worry about and we are eager to help.

Addictions manifest in various forms, depending on the substance being abused. Some drugs act as depressants, such as alcohol or opiates. When abused, depressants impact heart and respiratory functioning by slowing down the body’s organ response. In contrast, stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine increase blood pressure and heart rate and cause severe, irreversible damage to the heart and nervous system.

Despite these variances, the signs that someone has developed a substance addiction are, for the most part, universal. The most common signs of addiction are a change in appearance or weight loss/gain, neglect for responsibilities, intense mood swings, financial hardship, legal troubles, and loss of interest in hobbies or relationships once enjoyed and nurtured. By utilizing the addiction glossary, you can search for specific addictions, their implications and signs of abuse, and various treatments.

If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of the signs found within the addiction glossary, the specialists at Asheville Recovery Center want you to know that you aren’t alone. The founders of Asheville Recovery Center, as well as many of their addiction therapists, have struggled with addiction and now enjoy life in recovery. They understand the struggles of addiction and how difficult it is to overcome alone. Having developed a unique, hybrid model of treatment which combines a traditional 12-step program with holistic rehabilitation, Asheville Recovery Center offers superior addiction treatment services within the region.

Addiction Glossary:

Adderall

Adderall is a prescription medication that contains a combination of two central nervous system stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Alcohol

Alcohol has been named the most commonly used addictive substance in America. With this being the case, many people struggle with alcohol dependence.

Ambien

Ambien is a brand name for the prescription medication known as zolpidem. It is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily used to treat insomnia, a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Amphetamines

While prescription opiates are leading to the cause of many deaths resulting in the opioid epidemic, there are other prescription medications being abused.

Benzodiazepines

Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in the United States for the past decade. While the opioid epidemic is raving the nation, benzodiazepines have quietly been on the rise.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug. The first time that you did cocaine, it may have seemed like the “cool” thing to do.

Crack Cocaine

Many are confused about the difference between crack and cocaine. Really, the only distinction between the two is production. While cocaine is a white powder that is either snorted or injected, crack is a hardened, crystallized substance.

Heroin

Heroin addiction is among the leading causes of death in the United States as addiction often leads to overdose. The potency and addictive nature of this drug has been a driving force behind the current opioid epidemic in the United States.

Inhalants

Inhalant addiction isn’t as prevalent as addictions to other substances. But, when untreated, it can be extremely serious. And, often ends in unexpected death.

Marijuana

It goes by several different names: Mary Jane, reefer, weed, pot. But all of these nicknames refer to one plant-based drug known as “marijuana.”

Methamphetamine

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methamphetamine poses an even greater threat than opioids in some areas of the country, with over 14.7 million people having tried methamphetamine at least once.

Norco

Norco is a brand name for a prescription medication that contains a combination of two active ingredients: hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer.

Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription medications and illegal substances. They are commonly used for their pain-relieving (analgesic) properties. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, reducing the perception of pain and producing feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a potent opioid pain medication used to manage moderate to severe pain. It belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids, which work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body to reduce the perception of pain and produce feelings of euphoria or pleasure.

Oxycontin

OxyContin is a brand name for a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient oxycodone. It is an extended-release formulation of oxycodone, meaning that it is designed to release the medication slowly over a prolonged period of time, providing around-the-clock pain relief.

Painkillers

Painkillers are also known as prescription opioids or prescription analgesics, are medications prescribed by healthcare professionals to manage moderate to severe pain. These medications are typically used when over-the-counter pain relievers are not effective in providing adequate pain relief.

Percocet

Percocet is a brand name for a prescription medication that contains a combination of two active ingredients: oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer.

Suboxone

Suboxone is a brand name medication used in the treatment of opioid dependence and addiction. It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.

Vicodin

Vicodin is a brand name medication that contains a combination of two active ingredients: hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer.

Xanax

Xanax is a brand name for the prescription medication alprazolam, which belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that are primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Drug Addiction Glossary Asheville Recovery Center

Getting drug addiction help requires comprehensive support and treatment. Help is available, and recovery is possible – Asheville Recovery Center is here for you. Whether you are struggling with addiction or find yourself supporting a loved one on their sobriety journey, we know that knowing where to look can make all the difference in your recovery. If you are looking for drug addiction help, let us show you the options for drug addiction help we have available.
Call Asheville Recovery Center today.