Question 1

What is a blackout?

Accepted Answer

A blackout is an inability to remember what has happened, often due to excessive alcohol consumption or drug use. It is not the same as losing consciousness or passing out, experiencing dementia or experiencing nausea and vomiting.

Question 2

In your role as a police officer you sometimes come across individuals who are seem to be hallucinating and have delusions of persecution. In addition to the possibility that these individuals may have a mental disorder or be under the influence of various hallucinogenic drugs you must also consider the possibility of

Accepted Answer

Amphetamine use can cause hallucinations and delusions of persecution, while marijuana withdrawal and acute depression do not typically produce these symptoms. It is important for police officers to be aware of the potential influence of drugs on behavior, and to approach individuals exhibiting these symptoms with caution and appropriate support.

Question 3

Which of the following are signs of alcohol intoxication according to DSM-IV-TR?

Accepted Answer

Slurred speech, lack of coordination, and nystagmus are all signs of alcohol intoxication according to DSM-IV-TR. Anhedonia, hallucinations, delusions, rapid heart beat, and convulsions are not specific signs of alcohol intoxication. Feelings of pleasure, nausea, and constriction of the pupils of the eye may occur with ingestion of certain drugs, but are not specific to alcohol intoxication.

Question 4

What is the legal limit of alcohol concentration for driving in most states, as measured in number of milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (percent)?

Accepted Answer

The legal limit of alcohol concentration for driving in most states is 100 mg percent, which is also typically referred to as 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, it is important to note that some states may have different legal limits and there may be stricter limits for certain groups such as underage drivers or commercial drivers. In any case, driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and can lead to serious consequences, including accidents, injuries, and legal penalties.

Question 5

The police found C. Gram Seven along the highway. They immediately transported him to the emergency room where it was determined that his alcohol concentration was 600 mg percent. The police report probably described Mr. Seven as

Accepted Answer

A blood alcohol concentration of 600 mg percent is extremely high and typically lethal, suggesting that Mr. Seven would likely be dead.

Question 6

Alex is listening to a lecture on the history of opiate drugs and he learns something that he finds very surprising. What has he heard the lecturer say?

Accepted Answer

Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from morphine, which is naturally found in poppy plants.

Question 7

Delirium tremens is a collection of symptoms that result when a person is withdrawing from

Accepted Answer

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can occur when a person who is dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking. Symptoms can include agitation, confusion, shaking, seizures, and hallucinations, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Question 8

People who stop taking relatively high doses of benzodiazepines can experience an abrupt return of the anxiety they were using the drugs to suppress. This is called

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who stop taking relatively high doses...

Question 9

Based on reports from people who use drugs, which psychoactive substance is least associated with tolerance and withdrawal effects?

Accepted Answer

According to reports from people who use drugs, marijuana and hashish are least associated with tolerance and withdrawal effects. While opiates, sedatives and hypnotics, and cocaine are all known to have significant tolerance and withdrawal effects, marijuana is generally considered to be less addictive and less likely to lead to dependence. However, it's important to note that all psychoactive substances can have negative effects on a person's physical and mental health, and can lead to addiction, overdose, and other serious health consequences.

Question 10

What is the physiological basis of the short-term effects of nicotine?

Accepted Answer

Nicotine increases the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, which leads to feelings of pleasure, increased alertness, and improved cognitive function. These effects are short-term due to the rapid metabolism of nicotine and the subsequent decrease in neurotransmitter release.

Question 11

Which category of drugs is made up of those used to treat anxiety disorders and sleeping problems?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines are a category of drugs commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders and sleeping problems.

Question 12

Why are cocaine and amphetamines called stimulant drugs?

Accepted Answer

Cocaine and amphetamines are called stimulant drugs because they activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. They also increase the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, leading to feelings of euphoria and increased energy. They may also decrease the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, amplifying their effects.

Question 13

The textbook suggests that withdrawal from nicotine is on a par with

Accepted Answer

The textbook explicitly states that "withdrawal from nicotine is said to be as difficult to overcome as withdrawal from heroin." (Chapter 4, page 115)

Question 14

The active substances in opium are

Accepted Answer

The active substances found in opium are codeine and morphine. LSD and PCP are not found in opium, while cocaine and heroin are drugs derived from other sources. Marijuana is also not a component of opium.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the relationship between the misuse of alcohol and death is true?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol related deaths due to injury are more common among young men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is responsible for about 88,000 deaths in the United States each year, with about 50% of those deaths being due to injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, and homicides. These injuries are more common among young men.

Question 16

A research participant in a study of drug effects has experienced a brief, intense, dreamlike euphoria with a sense of increased visual and auditory sensitivity. The brief sense of pleasure is very powerful. Which drug has this subject likely received?

Accepted Answer

Heroin is known to produce intense euphoria and heightened sensory experiences, which aligns with the described effects.

Question 17

Charles is administered a blood alcohol level test and the results show 350 mg percent. Which of the following characterizes his state?

Accepted Answer

A blood alcohol level of 350 mg percent is very high and indicates severe intoxication. Charles is at risk of slipping into a coma and his ability to walk or drive is severely impaired. He should seek medical attention immediately.

Question 18

The police find a man in a seedy part of town; he looks in "bad shape" so they call for an ambulance. On the way to the hospital the paramedic calls the hospital base with the following: approximately 50-year-old white male, heavy sweating, hand tremors, seems delirious, and appears to be experiencing hallucinations. When the patient arrives at the hospital, the emergency room physician suspects that the patient is experiencing

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of heavy sweating, hand tremors, delirium, and hallucinations are classic signs of alcohol withdrawal, especially in a middle-aged man who appears to be in bad shape. Cocaine withdrawal and barbiturate overdose can cause similar symptoms, but the absence of other signs such as seizures or respiratory depression makes these less likely diagnoses. Schizophrenic episodes typically do not present with these physical symptoms.

Question 19

The family of drugs that includes barbiturates to benzodiazepines are also know informally as all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptics, also known as antipsychotics, are a different class of drugs used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The family of drugs that includes barbiturates to benzodiazepines are commonly known as tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics, but not neuroleptics.

Question 20

Prolonged use of amphetamines has been linked to an increase in violent behavior, but it is not easy to interpret this link because

Accepted Answer

The link between prolonged use of amphetamines and violent behavior is not straightforward as other factors such as the drug user's lifestyle (e.g., involvement in drug trade) may also play a role in their violent behavior.

Quiz 11: Substance Use Disorders