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  • Receptor: A large molecule that recognizes specific chemicals (normally neurotransmitters, hormones, and similar endogenous substances) and transmits the message carried by the chemical into the cell on which the receptor resides. [5]
  • Relapse: In drug abuse, relapse is the resumption of drug use after trying to stop taking drugs. Relapse is a common occurrence in many chronic disorders, including addiction, that require behavioral adjustments to treat effectively. [5]
  • Reuptake: The process by which neurotransmitters are removed from the synapse by being "pumped" through transporters back into the axon terminals that first released them. [5]
  • Reuptake pump (transporter): The large molecule that actually transports neurotransmitter molecules back into the axon terminals that released them. [5]
  • Reward: The process that reinforces behavior. It is mediated at least in part by the release of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens. Human subjects report that reward is associated with feelings of pleasure. [5]
  • Reward system (or brain reward system): A brain circuit that, when activated, reinforces behaviors. The circuit includes the dopamine-containing neurons of the ventral tegmental area, the nucleus accumbens, and part of the prefrontal cortex. The activation of this circuit causes feelings of pleasure. [5]
  • Route of administration: The way a drug is put into the body. Drugs can enter the body by eating, drinking, inhaling, injecting, snorting, smoking, or absorbing a drug through mucous membranes. [5]
  • Rush: A surge of pleasure that rapidly follows administration of some drugs. [3]
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  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Marijuana Abuse, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana6.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 02-3859. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. October 2002.
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Steroid Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3721. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1991. Reprinted 1994, 1996. Revised April 2000.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Nicotine Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4342. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed July, 1998. Reprinted August 2001.
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc5.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4209. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed March 2001.
  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Curriculum/HSCurriculum.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-4871. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 2000.
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Cocaine/cocaine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 99-4342, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed May 1999. Revised November 2004
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/ritalin.html:
  8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Drug Abuse and AIDS
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/drugabuse.html:
  9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Inhalants Abuse
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Inhalants/:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3818, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1994, Reprinted 1996, 1999. Revised July, 2000, Revised 2005