N-Squad Episode Three: Vocabulary Terms

All of the words below are ones that students will encounter while playing N-Squad Episode one. Their definitions are contained in the hot-linked words in the game.

Alcoholism Medication – Any one of several drugs used to treat the symptoms of alcohol dependence. Some drugs reduce alcohol craving or lessen withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs discourage drinking by making the person feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.

Alcohol poisoning – An overdose of alcohol. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, unconsciousness, cold or clammy skin, and slow or irregular breathing.

Behavioral Therapy – Therapy designed to change or modify a person's behavior. Behavioral therapy helps alcoholics cope with their disease and motivates them to remain sober.

Binge Drinking – Consuming 5 or more drinks in two hours for men or 4 or more drinks in two hours for women.

CODIS – Also known as the Combined DNA Index System. This database contains DNA profiles from convicted criminals, unsolved crime scene evidence and missing persons; the FBI manages it.

Compulsive Drinking – One of the symptoms of alcoholism, it is linked to structural and chemical changes in the brain.

Cyborg – An organism that is part human and part robot.

Limbic System – A group of brain structures that help regulate emotions. In the limbic system is the reward pathway, a circuit involved in producing pleasure and reinforcing behavior. When a drug activates this pathway, it can make the user want to take the substance again.

Racerball – A game played with a ball and three moving hoops between two teams of 5 men on a large rectangular field. The game's name comes from its inventor, Ty Racer.

Tolerance – A condition in which higher doses of a drug are required to produce the same effect as during initial use.

Withdrawal – A variety of symptoms that occur after use of an addictive drug is reduced or stopped. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms includes anxiety, sweating, shakiness, nausea and in severe cases, delirium tremens (hallucinations).

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