National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Selective tolerance to opiates refers to the phenomenon where an individual develops tolerance to certain effects of opioids while maintaining sensitivity to others. In the case of opioids, it is particularly notable that while users may become tolerant to the euphoric effects and analgesic properties of the drugs, they often do not develop tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects. This lack of tolerance to respiratory depression is significant because it presents a risk of overdose: as a person escalates their use to achieve the desired effects, the respiratory depression remains potent, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.

The key aspect of this phenomenon is that the body adapts differently to the various effects of the drug; thus, individuals may require larger doses to achieve the same level of euphoria or pain relief, while the risk of respiratory depression remains unchanged. This selective adaptation underscores the complexity of opioid pharmacology and highlights the importance of monitoring patients on opiates carefully to avoid the dangers associated with their misuse.