Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

intoxication 341
Needle exchange programs have become effective
public health tools for reducing communicable
disease transmission among intravenous drug
users. Local health departments administer such
programs, which give the person a sterile needle
and syringe in exchange for a used one. Though it
is a common perception that such needle
exchange programs inherently encourage intravenous
drug abuse, there is little clinical evidence
that this is the case. Many substance abuse experts
believe needle exchange programs, though they
do not overtly encourage users to stop using
drugs, do provide regular access to information
about treatment programs that allow users who
want to stop to find the help they need to do so as
well as reduce the risk for disease.
See also SEXUAL HEALTH; SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DIS-
EASE (STD) PREVENTION; SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION;
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT; WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME.
intoxication The presence of ALCOHOL or other
DRUG in the body in an amount that alters perception,
behavior, thought processes, motor skills,
judgment, and other physical or psychologic activities
in ways that are dysfunctional or disruptive.
From a health perspective intoxication is a state of
poisoning. Slang terminology for intoxication
includes drunkenness (alcohol intoxication),
stoned, high, and buzzed. The primary objective of
substance abuse is to achieve a state of intoxication,
which continues for as long as the substance
responsible for it remains active in the body. In the
United States and most countries laws define the
legal boundaries of intoxication, beyond which
intoxication while participating in certain activities
such as driving becomes a criminal offense.
See also DETOXIFICATION; ILLICIT DRUG USE; OVER-
DOSE; POISON PREVENTION; PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE;
SOBRIETY; SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.