The harmful use of a specific psychoactive substance.
adaptation
The process of change to better conform to environmental conditions or other external stimuli.
addiction
A disease process characterized by the continued use of a specific psychoactive substance despite physical, psychological, or social harm.
after care
Supportive therapy following substance withdrawal. After care can be in the form of residential treatment, group or individual therapy, or sober-living environment (halfway house).
alcoholism
A primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.
A class of medications that have a hypnotic and sedative action, used mainly as tranquilizers for the control of symptoms due to anxiety or stress and as a sleeping aid for insomnia.
binge
An eating disorder or medical syndrome in which people eat large amounts of food, even when full, often feeling that their eating is out of control.
A substance that causes sedation and drowsiness. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
detoxification
A physician-supervised treatment program for alcohol or drug addiction that is designed to allow the body to readjust to the absence of drugs in the body. Such a program is used as a first step in overcoming physiological or psychological addiction.
disease
Any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or to those in contact with the person.
dopamine
A chemical substance found in the brain that regulates movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure.
A person's inner restraint from free or spontaneous activity, expression, or functioning.
intervention
A planned interaction with an individual who is dependent on one or more psychoactive substances, with the aim of interrupting abusive behavior and getting the individual to initiate treatment.
intoxication
The state of being under the influence of a substance such as alcohol or psychoactive drugs.
A chemical that naturally occurs in the nervous system and plays a part in its functioning.
neurotransmitters
Naturally occurring chemicals that carry messages from one nerve cell to another in the brain and nervous system.
nutritional
Based on the study of how a body assimilates and uses food and liquids for normal functioning, growth, and maintenance, and to maintain the balance between health and disease.
A process of overcoming both physical and psychological dependence on a psychoactive substance with a commitment to sobriety.
relapse
Recurrence of psychoactive substance-dependent behavior in an individual who has previously achieved and maintained abstinence for a significant period of time beyond withdrawal.
A state of complete abstinence from psychoactive substances by an addicted individual, in conjunction with a satisfactory quality of life.
stimulant
A name given to several groups of drugs that tend to increase alertness and physical activity. Examples of stimulants include cocaine, crack, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.
substance dependence
Generic term relating to psychological or physical dependence, or both, on one or more psychoactive substances.
Application of planned procedures to identify and change patterns of behavior that are maladaptive, destructive, and/or injurious to health; or to restore appropriate levels of physical, psychological, and/or social functioning.
tolerance
As a result of physical adaptation to a drug, a condition in which higher and higher doses are required to produce the same effect as the first use.
* Clinical studies are under way to evaluate the PROMETA® Treatment Program and to confirm reports from physicians using the PROMETA Treatment Program in their practices. Only a physician licensed to treat with the PROMETA Treatment Program can determine if they are appropriate for any individual patient. The medications used in the PROMETA Treatment Program are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for uses other than treating dependence on alcohol, cocaine or methamphetamine. Therefore, the risks and benefits of using these medications to treat dependence on these substances have not been evaluated by the FDA.
The information provided herein is for general education purposes only and is not medical advice. Hythiam does not provide treatment or make treatment recommendations. Hythiam does not practice medicine or provide medical care to patients.