National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

What is referred to as "rebound effects"?

1. Exaggerated effects of a drug during use

2. Opposite effects during withdrawal of psychoactive drugs

3. Enhanced effects when mixed with other substances

4. Effects that disappear after repeated use

The correct answer is: Opposite effects during withdrawal of psychoactive drugs

"Rebound effects" are specifically associated with the phenomenon where an individual experiences the opposite symptoms or effects once they cease using a psychoactive substance, particularly after a period of dependence or regular use. This term is often utilized in the context of medications that were used to treat symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia. When the medication is discontinued, the symptoms that were being treated can return, sometimes even more intensely than before the treatment began. For instance, if a patient was using a sedative to help with insomnia, stopping the medication could lead to heightened anxiety or sleep disturbances that were not present prior to treatment. This illustrates how the body can react negatively when a drug is withdrawn, emphasizing the complexity of substance use and the body's physiological responses. In contrast, the other options describe different phenomena related to drug effects and usage but do not capture the essence of rebound effects as they pertain to the withdrawal phase of substance use. Options mentioning exaggerated effects, enhanced effects with other substances, or effects that disappear after repeated use relate to different aspects of pharmacology and behavioral responses to drugs.