AODA Counselor Exam 2023 Study Guide with complete
solution
Reasons for drug use
Curiosity, peer pressure, help them fit in, rebellion, thrill seeking, attend to appear
mature, escapism, entertainment, intoxication, anxiety reduction, social lubricant,
relaxation, pain management.
Behavioral changes in substance abuse
Change in routine, lying about use, decline in performance, change in activities, mood
swings, personality changes, dealing, legal problems, change in peer group, change in
way of dressing, conflictual family relationships, rebellion against societal norms
Physical changes in substance abuse
Hangover, feeling on well, euphoria, cravings, appearance deteriorates, weight loss or
gain, poor hygiene, memory deficits
Dependency definition
Dependency occurs when the drug user experiences psychological or physical distress
upon discontinuing the drug in question.
Addiction definition
Addiction implies that the user is unable to control his intake of the drug and
experiences psychological or physical distress during withdrawal.
Psychiatric problems in substance abuse
Psychosis, paranoia, depression, mood swings, memory deficits,
Seven symptoms to diagnose substance use disorder
1. Tolerance,
2. withdrawal,
3. increase in amount of drug taken,
4. inability to control use,
5. significant time/effort devoted to obtaining the drug,
6. diminished interest in important activities,
7. continued use regardless of ill effects
Five components of effective addiction treatment
1. Assessment,
2. patient treatment matching,
3. comprehensive services,
4. relapse prevention,
5. accountability.
A model treatment center for addiction will include the 17 components
1. Assessment,
2. same-day intake
3. documenting findings
4. prevention and primary medical care,
5. testing for infectious diseases,
6. weekly random drug screening,
7. pharmacological interventions as indicated,
8. group counseling intervention as indicated,
,9. basic substance abuse counseling,
10. practical life skills counseling,
11. general health education,
12.peer support groups,
13. liaison services to the community and court system,
14. social and athletic activities,
15. alternative housing assistance as needed,
16. relapse prevention, and
17. Outcome evaluation
Nervous system
The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system has two parts, the somatic system (voluntary) and the
autonomic system (involuntary) which are made up of the nerves which branch to the
rest of the body from the central nervous system.
Transmission of nerve impulses
An electrical impulse travels from the dendrite to the cell body to the axon to the
synaptic knob, where electrical impulses cause the release of the neurotransmitter into
the synaptic class. The neurotransmitter crosses the synaptic cleft, and joins with the
receptor on the neighboring dendrite. where once again the electrical impulse is sent
from these dendrite down the cell body to the axon.
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals manufactured by the body to transmit nerve impulses between cell.
Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles in the synaptic knob. Neurotransmitters are
released by cells called presynaptic neuron and received by post synaptic neurons.
Neurotransmitters can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine - excitatory transmitter involved in muscle movement
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine - excitatory transmitter involved with arousal mood and memory
formation
Dopamine
Dopamine - inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter involved in body movement,
pleasure, and reward
Serotonin
Serotonin - excitatory neurotransmitter involved with emotion, mood, sleep, and
temperature regulation
GABA - Gamma amino butyric acid
GABA - inhibitory neurotransmitter involved with motor behavior. Lack of GABA can
lead to convulsion
Glycine
Glycine - inhibitory transmitter involved with spinal reflexes and motor behavior
Enkephalins and endorphins
, Enkephalins and endorphins - inhibitory neurotransmitter involved with pain reduction
and pleasure
Neurotransmitters and drug interaction
Drug can interact with, and change the normal actions of neurotransmitters by affecting
their:
1. synthesis,
2. storage,
3. release,
4. reuptake,
5. metabolism, and
6. binding at the receptor site
Drug can interfere with the enzyme which is breaking down the neurotransmitters
thereby causing a buildup in the synapse.
Effects of alcohol - most abused drug in the United States
1. Depression of the central nervous system from the outside inward beginning with the
cerebral cortex interfering with higher processing and normal inhibition, altering
emotional behavior, and interfering with muscle function culminating in a reduction of
pulse and respiration.
2. Irritation of the cell tissue
3. Increase in production of hydrochloric acid with the potential to create ulcers
4. Initial increase in heart rate followed by decrease in heart rate
5. Increase in the release of insulin which depletes blood sugar and causes
hypoglycemia, thereby interfering with pancreatic function
6. Reduction in sperm production and increased risk of impotence
7. Damage to fetus
8. Interference with sleep, prevention of REM sleep necessary for optimal health.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
3 drinks .08 - .09% - motor function impairment, slowed reaction time, and poor
concentration
5 drinks .14 - .15% - vision and hearing are distorted
7 drinks .20% - mental confusion difficulty moving without assistance. The ability to
tolerate alcohol at this level is an indicator of alcoholism.
14 drinks .40% - loss of consciousness
16 drinks .60%, - death from respiratory failure
Blackout
A period of amnesia that typically occurs with drinking or substance abuse that may last
for seconds or hours, during which the person continues to function but will have no
memory of what has occurred during the blackout.
Hangover
Believed to be the result of one or more of the following:
1. The accumulation of acetyl aldehyde in the body, dehydration, alcohol poisoning,
depletion of important enzymes, and the metabolism of congeners used in the
fermentation and manufacturing process.
Sedative hypnotic drugs
Sedatives and hypnotics calm emotions, reduce anxiety, induce drowsiness, and relax
tense muscles. Some are used at anticonvulsants.
solution
Reasons for drug use
Curiosity, peer pressure, help them fit in, rebellion, thrill seeking, attend to appear
mature, escapism, entertainment, intoxication, anxiety reduction, social lubricant,
relaxation, pain management.
Behavioral changes in substance abuse
Change in routine, lying about use, decline in performance, change in activities, mood
swings, personality changes, dealing, legal problems, change in peer group, change in
way of dressing, conflictual family relationships, rebellion against societal norms
Physical changes in substance abuse
Hangover, feeling on well, euphoria, cravings, appearance deteriorates, weight loss or
gain, poor hygiene, memory deficits
Dependency definition
Dependency occurs when the drug user experiences psychological or physical distress
upon discontinuing the drug in question.
Addiction definition
Addiction implies that the user is unable to control his intake of the drug and
experiences psychological or physical distress during withdrawal.
Psychiatric problems in substance abuse
Psychosis, paranoia, depression, mood swings, memory deficits,
Seven symptoms to diagnose substance use disorder
1. Tolerance,
2. withdrawal,
3. increase in amount of drug taken,
4. inability to control use,
5. significant time/effort devoted to obtaining the drug,
6. diminished interest in important activities,
7. continued use regardless of ill effects
Five components of effective addiction treatment
1. Assessment,
2. patient treatment matching,
3. comprehensive services,
4. relapse prevention,
5. accountability.
A model treatment center for addiction will include the 17 components
1. Assessment,
2. same-day intake
3. documenting findings
4. prevention and primary medical care,
5. testing for infectious diseases,
6. weekly random drug screening,
7. pharmacological interventions as indicated,
8. group counseling intervention as indicated,
,9. basic substance abuse counseling,
10. practical life skills counseling,
11. general health education,
12.peer support groups,
13. liaison services to the community and court system,
14. social and athletic activities,
15. alternative housing assistance as needed,
16. relapse prevention, and
17. Outcome evaluation
Nervous system
The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system has two parts, the somatic system (voluntary) and the
autonomic system (involuntary) which are made up of the nerves which branch to the
rest of the body from the central nervous system.
Transmission of nerve impulses
An electrical impulse travels from the dendrite to the cell body to the axon to the
synaptic knob, where electrical impulses cause the release of the neurotransmitter into
the synaptic class. The neurotransmitter crosses the synaptic cleft, and joins with the
receptor on the neighboring dendrite. where once again the electrical impulse is sent
from these dendrite down the cell body to the axon.
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals manufactured by the body to transmit nerve impulses between cell.
Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles in the synaptic knob. Neurotransmitters are
released by cells called presynaptic neuron and received by post synaptic neurons.
Neurotransmitters can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine - excitatory transmitter involved in muscle movement
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine - excitatory transmitter involved with arousal mood and memory
formation
Dopamine
Dopamine - inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter involved in body movement,
pleasure, and reward
Serotonin
Serotonin - excitatory neurotransmitter involved with emotion, mood, sleep, and
temperature regulation
GABA - Gamma amino butyric acid
GABA - inhibitory neurotransmitter involved with motor behavior. Lack of GABA can
lead to convulsion
Glycine
Glycine - inhibitory transmitter involved with spinal reflexes and motor behavior
Enkephalins and endorphins
, Enkephalins and endorphins - inhibitory neurotransmitter involved with pain reduction
and pleasure
Neurotransmitters and drug interaction
Drug can interact with, and change the normal actions of neurotransmitters by affecting
their:
1. synthesis,
2. storage,
3. release,
4. reuptake,
5. metabolism, and
6. binding at the receptor site
Drug can interfere with the enzyme which is breaking down the neurotransmitters
thereby causing a buildup in the synapse.
Effects of alcohol - most abused drug in the United States
1. Depression of the central nervous system from the outside inward beginning with the
cerebral cortex interfering with higher processing and normal inhibition, altering
emotional behavior, and interfering with muscle function culminating in a reduction of
pulse and respiration.
2. Irritation of the cell tissue
3. Increase in production of hydrochloric acid with the potential to create ulcers
4. Initial increase in heart rate followed by decrease in heart rate
5. Increase in the release of insulin which depletes blood sugar and causes
hypoglycemia, thereby interfering with pancreatic function
6. Reduction in sperm production and increased risk of impotence
7. Damage to fetus
8. Interference with sleep, prevention of REM sleep necessary for optimal health.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
3 drinks .08 - .09% - motor function impairment, slowed reaction time, and poor
concentration
5 drinks .14 - .15% - vision and hearing are distorted
7 drinks .20% - mental confusion difficulty moving without assistance. The ability to
tolerate alcohol at this level is an indicator of alcoholism.
14 drinks .40% - loss of consciousness
16 drinks .60%, - death from respiratory failure
Blackout
A period of amnesia that typically occurs with drinking or substance abuse that may last
for seconds or hours, during which the person continues to function but will have no
memory of what has occurred during the blackout.
Hangover
Believed to be the result of one or more of the following:
1. The accumulation of acetyl aldehyde in the body, dehydration, alcohol poisoning,
depletion of important enzymes, and the metabolism of congeners used in the
fermentation and manufacturing process.
Sedative hypnotic drugs
Sedatives and hypnotics calm emotions, reduce anxiety, induce drowsiness, and relax
tense muscles. Some are used at anticonvulsants.
