CCJ 4934 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Psychoactive Drug, Recreational Drug Use, Essentialism
Document Summary
What is a drug: some broad, chemical others narrow, an addicting substance, drugs. Concept that is defined both material, in essence to their real properties, and socially, construct that is in both in out minds. Defined by what they are and do: essentialist reality objective, subjective, constructionist reality, three relevant contexts: medical utility, illegality, psychoactivity. Certain substances that influence the mind are included, while others are not. Alcohol: illegality overlaps but is not coterminous with the possession, sale, and use of psychoactive substances. Psychoactivity: pharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on biological organisms, drug any substance that is psychoactive, that has a significant effect on the mind, psychoactive substance. Are psychoactive because they are taken to get high, and effect the. Defining drugs mind: two definitions psychoactivity and illegality, psychoactivity. Socially constructed property and effects of substances: medical definition. Drug use and drug abuse: their use has crucial consequences for user and society at large, use.