Question 1

Which of the following substances has the lowest risk of tolerance?

Accepted Answer

PCP (Phencyclidine) has a lower risk of tolerance development compared to alcohol, heroin, and nicotine. Tolerance refers to a reduced response to a drug after repeated use, necessitating higher doses to achieve the same effect. PCP's unique mechanism of action, including its effects on the NMDA receptor, contributes to its lower propensity for tolerance development compared to substances like alcohol, heroin, and nicotine, which more directly and consistently activate reward pathways and have mechanisms that more readily lead to tolerance.

Question 2

Celeste went to a fraternity party on Saturday night and had too much to drink. Although the last thing she remembers is dancing with Paul, she obviously got home somehow. What did Celeste likely experience?

Accepted Answer

Celeste likely experienced a blackout, which is a period of time when someone is conscious and performing actions but cannot remember what they did afterwards. This can occur when someone consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, affecting memory formation in the brain.

Question 3

Which of the following substances is not considered high risk for tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Cannabis is not considered high risk for tolerance as it has a low potential for causing physical dependence and tolerance compared to other drugs like opioids or stimulants. However, psychological dependence can still occur with frequent use.

Question 4

Which of the following is not one of the distinct patterns of drinking outlined in the text?

Accepted Answer

The other three patterns (drinking every day, binge drinking, and heavy drinking on evenings/weekends) are all mentioned as distinct patterns of drinking in the text, while option D (having a specific drinking schedule at 5 pm, dinner, and bedtime) is not mentioned as a distinct pattern.

Question 5

Which of the following diagnoses is appropriate when a person uses alcohol in dangerous situations, fails to meet important obligations, and has recurrent legal or social problems resulting from alcohol use?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms listed are indicative of alcohol abuse, which includes problematic alcohol use despite negative consequences. This is distinct from alcohol dependence, which involves physical addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol tolerance refers to needing more alcohol to achieve the same effects over time.

Question 6

Why is alcohol considered a depressant?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is considered a depressant because it has a dampening effect on the central nervous system, slowing down the activity of the brain and body. This leads to slowed reflexes, impaired coordination, and reduced inhibitions. While alcohol may initially have a stimulating effect by increasing dopamine levels, it ultimately depresses mood and can lead to feelings of sadness or anxiety.

Question 7

Wolf has been using crack cocaine for over a year to help him have the alert, extraverted personality he needs at his job. He has been trying to stop, but his cravings are so strong that he lies, steals, and intimidates others to get more drugs. Which of the following terms best describes Wolf's experience?

Accepted Answer

Wolf's behavior of lying, stealing, and intimidating to get more drugs indicates dependence, which is characterized by a strong craving for the drug, inability to quit or control use, and continuing to use despite negative consequences. Cocaine intoxication refers to the acute effects of using cocaine, such as euphoria and increased energy, and would not explain Wolf's ongoing behavior. Cocaine craving and cocaine psychosis are not the most accurate terms to describe Wolf's experience, as they do not encompass the full range of symptoms he is exhibiting.

Question 8

Gervase not only uses alcohol in dangerous situations and fails to meet his social, financial, and work obligations, but he has also developed a physiological tolerance to alcohol. He spends much of his time intoxicated or in withdrawal and continues to drink despite the problems it causes. What would Gervase likely be diagnosed with?

Accepted Answer

Gervase displays symptoms of alcohol dependence, such as using alcohol in dangerous situations, failing to meet obligations, developing a tolerance, spending much of his time intoxicated or in withdrawal, and continuing to drink despite problems it causes. These symptoms are not consistent with alcohol abuse, tolerance, or intoxication alone.

Question 9

Jeff's girlfriend is concerned about his weekend alcohol binges. Jeff argues that he is not bingeing, but simply partying with his friends. How many drinks would Jeff need to consume in order for his behaviour to be classified as a drinking binge?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dL or above. This typically occurs after consuming four drinks for women and five drinks for men within two hours. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it indicates that Jeff needs to consume five or more drinks within a couple of hours of each other to be classified as binge drinking.

Question 10

Approximately what percentage of deaths that occur from drinking large quantities of alcohol are caused by respiratory paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory paralysis is responsible for approximately 33% of deaths from acute alcohol poisoning.

Question 11

Which of the following is the most common cause of alcohol-related deaths?

Accepted Answer

Automobile accidents are the most common cause of alcohol-related deaths, accounting for 29% of all alcohol-related deaths in the United States. Other causes include alcohol toxicity, alcohol-related liver disease, and other medical conditions exacerbated by alcohol use. Respiratory paralysis and interactions with other substances are rare causes of alcohol-related deaths.

Question 12

Jack is a cannabis user and Suzanne drinks alcohol. With regard to tolerance, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Jack is at lower risk for tolerance because cannabis tolerance develops more slowly than alcohol tolerance.

Question 13

What is it called when a person experiences less and less effect from the same dose of a substance and needs greater doses of the substance to achieve intoxication?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance is the phenomenon where a person requires increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect. This can occur with repeated use of drugs or alcohol, and can lead to addiction as the individual seeks higher doses to achieve desired effects.

Question 14

Dr. Stone has agreed to try to help Amber cut down on her cigarette use. She has tried to quit, unsuccessfully, 10 times. Her husband divorced her saying the cost, the smell, and the threat to his health drove him out. When she first took up this habit, Amber used to smoke 10 cigarettes a day, but now this has increased to 40 cigarettes a day. What diagnosis would Amber likely receive?

Accepted Answer

Based on the information provided, Amber displays symptoms of substance dependence, as she has unsuccessfully attempted to quit multiple times and has increased her usage to 40 cigarettes per day. Additionally, her husband's divorce citing negative impact on his health suggests that Amber's behavior is causing significant harm to herself and those around her.

Question 15

Which of the following is not a DSM-IV criterion for substance dependence?

Accepted Answer

This is not a DSM-IV criterion for substance dependence, but it is a criterion for substance abuse. Other criteria for substance dependence include tolerance, withdrawal, unsuccessful attempts to quit, and continued use despite negative consequences.

Question 16

Which of the following methods of administering a drug is least likely to lead to overdose?

Accepted Answer

Oral administration allows for gradual absorption of the drug into the bloodstream, reducing the likelihood of an overdose. Injection, snorting, and smoking all allow the drug to quickly enter the bloodstream and can lead to a higher risk of overdose.

Question 17

Michael has been arrested three times for driving under the influence. He recently lost his job because he was consuming alcohol during the day. In addition, his wife has a restraining order against him. Given these particular problems, what substance use disorder does Michael have?

Accepted Answer

Michael meets the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse, as indicated by his repeated DUI arrests and job loss due to alcohol consumption during the day. The restraining order against him may also be indicative of alcohol-related behavioral problems. While alcohol tolerance and withdrawal may also be present in individuals with alcohol abuse, the given information does not provide specific evidence for these symptoms. Delirium tremens, on the other hand, is a severe symptom of alcohol withdrawal that is typically characterized by hallucinations and seizures, and is not mentioned in the given information.

Question 18

Dr. Eastman is fatigued, depressed, hungry, sleepy, in a bad mood, and moves slowly since he gave up his favourite substance of abuse. What type of substance did Dr. Eastman most likely give up?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Eastman is experiencing symptoms that are characteristic of withdrawal from a stimulant substance, such as fatigue, depression, hunger, and slowed movement.

Question 19

Since Clifford has been using inhalants, he has changed friends and lost his job. Fortunately, Clifford does not experience ill-effects when he stops using the inhalants. Clifford would most likely be diagnosed with which of the following disorders?

Accepted Answer

Clifford's symptoms fit the criteria for substance abuse, but not dependence or addiction. Substance abuse is characterized by negative consequences from substance use, but without physical or psychological dependence.

Question 20

Hannibal began snorting cocaine about a year ago. He said the first high was the most astounding, exciting, mind-blowing experience he has ever had. Although he gets high every weekend, he has never been able to recapture that initial euphoria and now he needs more and more of the drug to get anywhere close to his first experience. Which of the following statements is true of Hannibal?

Accepted Answer

Hannibal has developed a tolerance to cocaine, as he needs more of the drug to achieve the same effects he initially experienced.

Quiz 17: Adjustment Disorders and Life-Cycle Transitions