Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor practice exam questions with 100% correct answers 2024

Drug Use is a term used to describe the consumption of a drug in a socially acceptable or ritualistic manner. Drug Misuse 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 composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Central Nervous System (CNS) composed of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) 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 connects the nerves of the CNS to the skin and skeletal muscles. Autonomic System connects the nerves of the CNS to the organs of the body. Function involuntarily and has two subdivisions: the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. Sympathetic Division involves the fight or flight response. Parasympathetic Division returns the body processes to normal after the sympathetic division has been engaged. Neurons are the cells that are responsible for the transmission of information and has one axon, but may have many dendrites. Cell Body processes called axons and dendrites. Synaptic Knobs end of each axon and holds neurotransmitters in its vesicles. Chemical Receptors end of the dendrites. Synaptic Cleft space between neurons. Synapse junction between neighboring neurons and is filled with a type of fat that acts as an insulator. Neurotransmitters Cell body manufactures these chemicals which transmit nerve impulses between cells. Presynaptic Neuron cell which releases the neurotransmitter. Postsynaptic Neuron cell which receives the neurotransmitter. Excitatory which means that it helps start the transmission of a nerve impulse. Inhibitory which means that it inhibits the transmission of nerve impulse. Acetylcholine (excitatory neurotransmitter): muscle movement Norepinephrine (excitatory neurotransmitter): arousal, moods, memory formation Dopamine (inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter): body movement, pleasure, reward Serotonin (excitatory neurotransmitter): emotion, mood, sleep, temperature regulation GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) (inhibitory neurotransmitter): motor behavior (deficit may result in convulsions) Glycine (inhibitory neurotransmitter): spinal reflexes, motor behavior Enkephalins and Endorphins (inhibitory neurotransmitter): pain reduction, pleasure Receptor Site Many drugs can bind to this and mimick the effects however some drugs with bind to this but will not activate it. Medulla Oblongata Lowest part of the brain. Made up of ascending and descending nerve fibers that connect the spinal cord to the brain. Controls vital life-sustaining functions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion. Drugs such as opiates and barbiturates can depress the function of the medulla and even cause death. Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS) alcohol and other depressants decrease the normal activity of this while amphetamines' increase activity. Hallucinations can result from both stimulation and depression of this. Pons connects the brain stem to the midbrain, contains ascending and descending nerve fibers. Allows communication between the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Midbrain Located between the hindbrain and forebrain, an area in which many nerve-fiber systems ascend and descend to connect the higher and lower portions of the brain; relays information between the brain and the eyes and ears. Psychedelic drugs act on this part of the brain to produce hallucinations. Limbic System 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 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 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 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 located under the Thalamus and works in conjunction with the cerebellum to control motor activity. Cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres and four lobes: occipital lobe, parietal lobe, frontal lobe, temporal lobe Occipital Lobe contains the primary visual cortex. Association areas in this lobe combine visual information with other types of sensory information. Parietal Lobe the somatosensory cortex of this lobe collects sensory information and information on the location of objects in relation to the body. Frontal Lobe 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 involved in primary auditory perception, such as hearing, and holds the primary auditory cortex, involved in interpreting sounds Cerebral Cortex 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 arranged in folds, creating grooves in the cerebral cortex. White Matter beneath the gray matter, and is