Larry has been using heroin for several years. Normally he injects the drug in his basement, but one night on a vacation he injects the drug in his hotel room. Despite the fact that he uses the same heroin and dose that he normally does, Larry overdoses and dies. What phenomenon is likely responsible?
A) spontaneous recovery
B) preparedness
C) negative punishment
D) conditioned drug tolerance

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Conditioned drug tolerance occurs when a person develops a tolerance to a drug in the environment in which it is typically administered, leading to an increased risk of overdose when the drug is taken in a new environment. In this case, Larry was used to injecting heroin in his basement, so his body had developed a tolerance to it in that specific environment. When he injected the drug in a new environment (his hotel room), his body was not prepared for the full effects of the drug, leading to the overdose and death.

Larry Has Been Using Heroin for Several Years