Advanced Alcohol and Drug
Counselor Exam Questions and
Answers
Drug Use - ANSWER-is a term used to describe the consumption of a drug in a socially
acceptable or ritualistic manner.
Drug Misuse - ANSWER-involves the inappropriate, or unintentional, use of a
prescription or nonprescription drug resulting in the physical, cognitive, emotional, or
social impairment of the individual.
Nervous System - ANSWER-composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Central Nervous System (CNS) - ANSWER-composed of the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - ANSWER-is made up of nerves that branch from
the CNS to the rest of the body. There are two parts: the somatic system and the
autonomic system.
Somatic System - ANSWER-connects the nerves of the CNS to the skin and skeletal
muscles.
Limbic System - ANSWER-sits just under the cerebrum and lies beneath and on both
sides of the thalamus. Various sections regulate emotional responses, are involved in
the formation of long-term memories and are necessary for decision making.
Tranquilizers have a calming influence.
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-Function is to maintain homeostasis. A neural structure lying
below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body
temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to
emotion and reward. Many psychoactive drugs work at this site.
Cerebellum - ANSWER-A large structure of the hindbrain located under the cerebrum
that controls fine motor skills. Has a cortex and is divided into hemispheres. This
structure coordinates voluntary movements and is involved in motor learning, attention
and the processing of language and music. Psychoactive drugs can cause loss of
muscle coordination and balance.
Thalamus - ANSWER-the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem;
it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to
, the cerebellum and medulla. It is involved with consciousness and regulates arousal,
awareness and sleep patterns. Also has a role in interpreting sensations as painful or
pleasurable.
Subthalamus - ANSWER-located under the Thalamus and works in conjunction with the
cerebellum to control motor activity.
Cerebrum - ANSWER-is divided into two hemispheres and four lobes: occipital lobe,
parietal lobe, frontal lobe, temporal lobe
Occipital Lobe - ANSWER-contains the primary visual cortex. Association areas in this
lobe combine visual information with other types of sensory information.
Parietal Lobe - ANSWER-the somatosensory cortex of this lobe collects sensory
information and information on the location of objects in relation to the body.
Frontal Lobe - ANSWER-is thought to be important in many aspects of behavior
including planning, problem solving, impulse control, and judgement. Damage to this
lobe can drastically change personality. This lobe also contains the motor cortex.
Temporal Lobe - ANSWER-involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing,
and holds the primary auditory cortex, involved in interpreting sounds
Cerebral Cortex - ANSWER-Known as the gray matter, is 2-4 millimeters thick and is
the outermost layer of the cerebrum. Composed of neurons and their unmyelinated
fibers. Involved in consciousness, cognition, awareness, memory and attention.
Sulci - ANSWER-arranged in folds, creating grooves in the cerebral cortex.
White Matter - ANSWER-beneath the gray matter, and is mainly composed of
myelinated fibers.
Physical Dependency - ANSWER-when an individual has psychological or physical
distress upon discontinuing a drug.
Experimentation/Recreational use - ANSWER-Use is occasional and substance may be
provided by friends in social settings or taken in response to stressful situations (loss of
job, divorce). The person may continue at this rate, stop using, or progress to the next
stage.
Regular Use - ANSWER-A regular pattern of use emerges (every weekend, every day
in response to specific stressors, etc).
Problem Use - ANSWER-The person begins to experience problems because of
substance abuse-loss of job, social exclusion, physical impairments/injuries,
depression, motor vehicle accidents, and/or failing grades.
Counselor Exam Questions and
Answers
Drug Use - ANSWER-is a term used to describe the consumption of a drug in a socially
acceptable or ritualistic manner.
Drug Misuse - ANSWER-involves the inappropriate, or unintentional, use of a
prescription or nonprescription drug resulting in the physical, cognitive, emotional, or
social impairment of the individual.
Nervous System - ANSWER-composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Central Nervous System (CNS) - ANSWER-composed of the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - ANSWER-is made up of nerves that branch from
the CNS to the rest of the body. There are two parts: the somatic system and the
autonomic system.
Somatic System - ANSWER-connects the nerves of the CNS to the skin and skeletal
muscles.
Limbic System - ANSWER-sits just under the cerebrum and lies beneath and on both
sides of the thalamus. Various sections regulate emotional responses, are involved in
the formation of long-term memories and are necessary for decision making.
Tranquilizers have a calming influence.
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-Function is to maintain homeostasis. A neural structure lying
below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body
temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to
emotion and reward. Many psychoactive drugs work at this site.
Cerebellum - ANSWER-A large structure of the hindbrain located under the cerebrum
that controls fine motor skills. Has a cortex and is divided into hemispheres. This
structure coordinates voluntary movements and is involved in motor learning, attention
and the processing of language and music. Psychoactive drugs can cause loss of
muscle coordination and balance.
Thalamus - ANSWER-the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem;
it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to
, the cerebellum and medulla. It is involved with consciousness and regulates arousal,
awareness and sleep patterns. Also has a role in interpreting sensations as painful or
pleasurable.
Subthalamus - ANSWER-located under the Thalamus and works in conjunction with the
cerebellum to control motor activity.
Cerebrum - ANSWER-is divided into two hemispheres and four lobes: occipital lobe,
parietal lobe, frontal lobe, temporal lobe
Occipital Lobe - ANSWER-contains the primary visual cortex. Association areas in this
lobe combine visual information with other types of sensory information.
Parietal Lobe - ANSWER-the somatosensory cortex of this lobe collects sensory
information and information on the location of objects in relation to the body.
Frontal Lobe - ANSWER-is thought to be important in many aspects of behavior
including planning, problem solving, impulse control, and judgement. Damage to this
lobe can drastically change personality. This lobe also contains the motor cortex.
Temporal Lobe - ANSWER-involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing,
and holds the primary auditory cortex, involved in interpreting sounds
Cerebral Cortex - ANSWER-Known as the gray matter, is 2-4 millimeters thick and is
the outermost layer of the cerebrum. Composed of neurons and their unmyelinated
fibers. Involved in consciousness, cognition, awareness, memory and attention.
Sulci - ANSWER-arranged in folds, creating grooves in the cerebral cortex.
White Matter - ANSWER-beneath the gray matter, and is mainly composed of
myelinated fibers.
Physical Dependency - ANSWER-when an individual has psychological or physical
distress upon discontinuing a drug.
Experimentation/Recreational use - ANSWER-Use is occasional and substance may be
provided by friends in social settings or taken in response to stressful situations (loss of
job, divorce). The person may continue at this rate, stop using, or progress to the next
stage.
Regular Use - ANSWER-A regular pattern of use emerges (every weekend, every day
in response to specific stressors, etc).
Problem Use - ANSWER-The person begins to experience problems because of
substance abuse-loss of job, social exclusion, physical impairments/injuries,
depression, motor vehicle accidents, and/or failing grades.
