Final answer:
The term that describes the need for increased amounts of a drug to achieve the same effects is 'tolerance,' which is linked to physiological dependence and can lead to overdose. It is not to be confused with strategies like 'plateauing,' which aim to avoid tolerance in steroid use, nor with psychological dependence, which is the emotional craving for a drug.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes requiring less amounts of a drug to achieve the same effects is tolerance. When an individual develops tolerance, they need to consume larger amounts of the substance to reach the same level of effect they previously experienced with smaller doses. This is a physiological process where the body becomes accustomed to the drug. The concept of tolerance is closely related to physiological dependence, which can lead to dangerous situations such as overdose and death if one keeps increasing the dose to achieve the desired effect. It is important to distinguish this from plateauing, which refers to an adaptive technique used in steroid cycles to avoid developing tolerance, although it doesn't necessarily mitigate the harmful effects of the drugs.
There are misconceptions around drug synthesis and purifying drugs, leading to the assumption that improving efficiency could significantly save costs. However, pharmaceutical production is complex and often requires costly chemicals, multiple synthesis steps, and significant research investment to develop safe and effective medications. Hence, cost control is a critical component of pharmaceutical development.
In terms of psychological dependence, this refers to the emotional craving for a drug, whereas physical dependence is characterised by the body's adaptation to the drug, causing withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Both can be challenging to overcome, but understanding these terms helps to better comprehend the risks and effects associated with drug use.