Dictionary

Electronic Health Record (EHS) is a digital format of a patient’s medical history. The purpose of EHR is to provide a complete, accurate, and up-to-date record of a patient’s health information that can be easily accessed and shared by all members of a patient’s healthcare team. EHRs typically include a range of health information such as demographic data, medical history, medications, laboratory test results, imaging studies, and notes from visits to healthcare providers. They also often include features such as decision support tools, prescription ordering, and patient portals, which allow patients to access their health information and communicate with their healthcare team. One of the key benefits of EHRs is that they allow for more efficient and effective healthcare delivery by providing healthcare providers with quick and easy access to vital patient information. This can lead to improved patient outcomes, as healthcare providers can better diagnose and treat patients with access to comprehensive and up-to-date health information. Overall, EHRs play a critical role in the modern healthcare system by helping to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care and enabling better collaboration between healthcare providers and patients.

Enabling in the context of addiction refers to the behavior of family members, friends, or other individuals who support or assist an addicted person in continuing their substance abuse. This can include behaviors such as lying for the individual, making excuses for their behavior, or covering up their substance-related problems. Enabling can occur because the person wants to protect the addicted individual from the consequences of their actions or because they believe that they are helping the individual in some way. However, enabling behaviors can actually worsen the addiction by removing natural consequences and providing the individual with a sense of security in their substance abuse. This can make it more difficult for the individual to seek help or make changes to their substance use. It is important for loved ones to recognize the difference between helping and enabling and to seek support for themselves and the addicted individual.

Endogenous opioids are naturally occurring substances in the body that have pain-relieving and mood-enhancing effects similar to opiates, such as morphine and heroin. The body produces these substances and including endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins. Endogenous opioids play an important role in regulating pain and producing feelings of pleasure, reward, and well-being. However, excessive release of these substances can result in feelings of euphoria and can contribute to the development of opioid tolerance and dependence. Substance abuse can also interfere with the normal functioning of the endogenous opioid system, leading to decreased production of these natural painkillers and increased pain sensitivity. Understanding the role of endogenous opioids in the body can help develop more effective and targeted treatments for addiction and pain management.

Endorphins are naturally occurring substances in the body with pain-relieving and mood-enhancing effects. They are part of the endogenous opioid system and are produced by the body in response to stress, pain, and exercise, among other stimuli. Endorphins bind to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain perception and increasing feelings of well-being and pleasure. They help regulate the body’s response to pain and stress, and they are believed to be involved in the development of addiction. Substance abuse can interfere with the normal functioning of the endogenous opioid system, leading to decreased production of endorphins and increased pain sensitivity. Understanding the role of endorphins in the body can help develop more effective and targeted treatments for addiction and pain management.

Ethanol, also referred to as alcohol or ethyl alcohol, is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and spirits. It is a depressant; therefore, it slows down the activity of the brain and spinal cord. Ethanol is metabolized in the liver and can have various effects on the body, including impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time. It can also cause changes in mood and behavior and increase the risk of accidents, injury, and death. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to alcohol use disorder, characterized by compulsive alcohol use, impaired control over alcohol consumption, and continued use despite negative consequences. Worldwide, alcohol is one of the most used and abused substances and is a major cause of preventable illness and death.

Euphoria is a feeling of intense pleasure or happiness often described as a “high.” In the context of addiction, euphoria is a common effect of substance use, especially with drugs that act on the brain’s reward system, such as opioids, stimulants, and alcohol. These substances cause the release of large amounts of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which leads to feelings of euphoria. Substance-induced euphoria is one of the key factors contributing to the development and maintenance of addiction, as individuals may continue to use drugs to recreate the pleasurable feelings associated with drug use. Over time, tolerance to the euphoric effects of drugs can develop, and individuals may need to use larger amounts of the drug to experience the same level of pleasure. This can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder or, worse, an overdose.

Evidence-based treatment (EBT) refers to the use of treatments and interventions that are proven to be effective in treating substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors. EBTs are grounded in research evidence and are informed by the best available scientific evidence from multiple sources, including clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews. They are designed to address the specific needs of individuals with addiction and are based on a thorough assessment of their unique needs and circumstances. EBTs can include a range of approaches, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, and peer support programs. EBT aims to provide individuals with the most effective and appropriate treatments available to increase their chances of recovery and improve their overall health and well-being. By using EBTs, healthcare providers can provide evidence-based care that is both effective and efficient and that can improve health outcomes for individuals with addiction.

An excipient is an inactive substance that is used as a carrier or diluent for the active ingredient in a drug. Excipients are used in pharmaceuticals to help improve the drug’s stability, appearance, and flow properties and aid in the manufacturing process. They are usually inactive in nature and do not have therapeutic effects. Excipients can be divided into several categories, including fillers, binders, lubricants, disintegrants, and glidants. They can be made from a range of materials, including sugars, starches, celluloses, and polyethylene glycols, among others. Excipients are carefully selected and evaluated for their compatibility with the active ingredient and their potential impact on the stability and efficacy of the drug. They play an essential role in improving the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products and ensuring that drugs are effective, safe, and easy to use. Excipients serve various functions, such as: It is important to note that some excipients may have potential side effects or interact with other medications.