Question 1

All major drugs of abuse overstimulate the brain's ancient reward system, which runs through the:

Accepted Answer

The brain's reward system primarily involves the release of dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain to the nucleus accumbens in the limbic system, and is regulated by the hypothalamus. Therefore, choice A, the hypothalamus, is the correct answer. The occipital and temporal lobes are primarily involved in vision and auditory processing, respectively, and are not directly related to the reward system. The right and left hemispheres are both involved in various aspects of reward processing, so neither choice C nor choice D is specific enough to be the correct answer.

Question 2

Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are often referred to as ______ because they open the door to experimentation with other, more dangerous drugs.

Accepted Answer

Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are often referred to as gateway drugs because they can lead to experimentation with other, more dangerous drugs. The term "gateway" refers to the idea that these substances serve as a stepping stone or entry point into drug use. Once individuals become comfortable using these substances, they may be more likely to try other drugs in search of a more intense or altered high.

Question 3

One difficulty with reward models of addiction is that they are unable to explain why:

Accepted Answer

Reward models of addiction primarily focus on the reinforcing effects of drugs, which explain why individuals continue to use drugs despite negative consequences. These models struggle to account for the persistence of drug use in the face of adverse effects, as they emphasize the positive reinforcement (pleasure or reward) obtained from drug use.

Question 4

In most states, a blood alcohol level of ______ constitutes legal intoxication.

Accepted Answer

In most states, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% constitutes legal intoxication for drivers.

Question 5

The change in brain chemistry that offsets the effects of a psychoactive drug is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Neuroadaptation refers to the change in the brain's chemistry that occurs when the brain tries to compensate for the effects of a psychoactive drug. This can lead to tolerance and dependence. Disinhibition refers to the removal of inhibitions or restraints on behavior, while dissociation refers to a disconnection between a person's thoughts, feelings, and/or experiences. Neurogenesis refers to the growth and development of new neurons in the brain.

Question 6

Marijuana and LSD are:

Accepted Answer

Marijuana and LSD are both classified as hallucinogens, as they can produce altered perceptions, sensations, and experiences.

Question 7

According to the ______ theory, the stronger a person's attachment to family, school, and other institutions, the less likely he or she will be to use drugs.

Accepted Answer

The social control theory posits that the stronger a person's attachment to family, school, and other institutions, the more likely they are to conform to societal norms and values and avoid engaging in deviant behaviors, such as drug use. The other choices do not directly relate to the concept of attachment to institutions and its impact on drug use.

Question 8

Drug potentiation refers to:

Accepted Answer

Drug potentiation refers to the effect of one drug used to increase the effects of another. It can occur when using two or more drugs together that have similar effects or when one drug enhances the effects of another drug.

Question 9

Approximately what percent of alcohol is absorbed from the stomach directly into the bloodstream after drinking an alcoholic beverage?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 20 percent of alcohol is absorbed directly from the stomach into the bloodstream. The remaining alcohol is absorbed through the small intestine.

Question 10

According to the ______, drug use serves to restore abnormally low levels of key neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

The withdrawal-relief hypothesis proposes that individuals use drugs to alleviate withdrawal symptoms that occur due to abnormally low neurotransmitter levels.

Question 11

Which of these drugs does NOT belong with the others?

Accepted Answer

All of the other choices are stimulants, while alcohol is a depressant.

Question 12

The fact that people who are physically dependent on one substance (such as nicotine) are more likely to be addicted to others as well (such as alcohol) provides support for a(n) ______ model of addiction.

Accepted Answer

The fact that individuals who are physically dependent on one substance (such as nicotine) are more likely to develop addiction to others (such as alcohol) supports the reward model of addiction, which posits that addictive substances activate the brain's reward system, leading to a cycle of continued use and dependence. This model emphasizes the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is released in response to pleasurable stimuli, in reinforcing addictive behaviors. Thus, individuals who are more sensitive to the rewarding effects of one substance may be more likely to seek out and become addicted to others as well.

Question 13

In small doses, alcohol is a ______; in large doses, it is a ______.

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is a depressant in both small and large doses, affecting the central nervous system by slowing down brain function and neural activity.

Question 14

The need to take larger and larger doses of a drug in order to experience its effects is an indication of:

Accepted Answer

The need to take larger and larger doses of a drug in order to experience its effects is a sign of developing tolerance to the drug. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to the presence of a drug and requires more of it to achieve the same effect.

Question 15

Which statement is NOT indicative of risky or hazardous drinking behavior?

Accepted Answer

Using alcohol to manage social functions and relationships is indicative of problematic drinking behavior, while not using alcohol for this purpose is not. The other statements are all indicators of risky or hazardous drinking behavior.

Question 16

According to the hypersensitivity theory, addiction is the result of efforts by the body to:

Accepted Answer

The hypersensitivity theory proposes that addiction occurs as a result of the body's attempt to maintain an optimal internal state in response to the presence of a drug. According to this theory, repeated drug use causes the body to develop a hypersensitive response to the drug, which leads to a variety of physiological and psychological changes aimed at counteracting the drug's effects. These changes can ultimately lead to addiction.

Question 17

According to the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction, once drug use passes from the initial good feelings of first-stage use, repeated drug use occurs because drug-related cues:

Accepted Answer

According to the incentive-sensitization theory of addiction, repeated drug use occurs because drug-related cues trigger craving for the drug. As individuals experience drug use, the brain's reward center becomes sensitized to drug-related cues, resulting in an increased motivation to seek out and use the drug. This craving can become a powerful drive, leading to continued drug use despite negative consequences.

Question 18

Which drugs boost activity in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Stimulants are drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system, resulting in increased alertness, attention, and energy. Examples include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine. Depressants, on the other hand, decrease activity in the central nervous system, while hallucinogens and psychoactive drugs alter perception and mood.

Question 19

The concordance rate for a certain trait refers to the:

Accepted Answer

The concordance rate for a certain trait refers to the degree of similarity between a pair of twins for that trait. It is a measure of the genetic influence on the trait, as identical twins who share 100% of their genetic material should have a higher concordance rate for a trait compared to fraternal twins or non-twin siblings who share only 50% of their genetic material.

Question 20

According to the ______ theory, the influence of friends is strong enough to overcome the influence of a young person's family, school, and other institutions in determining drug use.

Accepted Answer

The peer cluster theory suggests that peers have a strong influence on drug use behaviors, sometimes more so than other societal institutions like family and school. This theory emphasizes the importance of peer pressure and the need for positive peer networks to encourage healthy decision-making.

Quiz 9: Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction