Alcohol and Drug Counselor Flashcards

Which of these is not a sign of depressive withdrawal?

Answer: Cold

Depressive withdrawal typically presents with symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, and sudden shakes, reflecting the nervous system's reaction to the absence of a depressant substance. 'Cold' is not a recognized symptom of depressive withdrawal; it is more commonly associated with opioid or stimulant withdrawal, where chills and temperature sensitivity are characteristic.

Of the following, which one is not a drug?

Answer: Chalk

Narcotics, alcohol, and depressants are all classified as drugs because they have psychoactive or physiological effects on the body. Chalk (calcium carbonate) is a mineral compound with no pharmacological effect and is not ingested for any bodily impact, making it the only non-drug in the list.

Which of these is not a sign of stimulant withdrawal?

Answer: Hunger

Stimulant withdrawal is characterized by a 'crash' effect: the body rebounds with depressant-like effects, energy loss, and disrupted sleep patterns. Hunger is not a recognized sign of stimulant withdrawal in this context; rather, the hallmark symptoms are fatigue, low mood, and sleep disturbance.

What is the most common chronic illness in Americans?

Answer: Alcoholism

Alcoholism is widely recognized as one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses in the United States, affecting millions of Americans and meeting the clinical definition of a chronic condition due to its long-term, relapsing nature. Stroke and cancer, while serious, are diseases or events rather than chronic illnesses affecting as broad a population, making alcoholism the best fit here.

What does substituting similar medications for dependence entail?

Answer: Cross dependence

Cross dependence describes the phenomenon where physiological tolerance or dependence developed toward one drug transfers to another drug with similar pharmacological properties. This differs from drug abuse (misuse for non-medical purposes) or general dependence (reliance on a single substance), because the key feature is the shared or cross-tolerance between similar medications.

Which is not a narcotics example?

Answer: Dar

Narcotics are opioid-based substances used medically for pain relief, and this class includes morphine, codeine, and opiates generally. 'Dar' is not a recognized pharmaceutical or drug name in this category — it does not correspond to any known narcotic compound, making it the correct answer.

What are drugs that are breathed in as a gas?

Answer: Inhalants

Inhalants are specifically defined as volatile substances — such as aerosols, solvents, and gases — that are inhaled to produce a psychoactive effect, making them the correct classification for drugs breathed in as a gas. Codeine is an oral narcotic, marijuana is typically smoked or ingested, and depressants are a broad pharmacological class not defined by their method of inhalation.