Module 4 Alcohol and Depressants

Question 1

acetaldehyde

Answer 1

An alcohol metabolite (also present in tobacco smoke) that is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic.

Question 2

alcohol by volume (ABV)

Answer 2

A universal measure of alcohol concentration in beverages, refers to milliliters of pure ethanol in 100 milliliters of the beverage (at 68o F) converted to a percentage.

Question 3

alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)

Answer 3

An enzyme abundant in the liver and involved in the first-step metabolism of alcohol.

Question 4

alcohol poisoning

Answer 4

Term used for alcohol overdose resulting from drinking too much too quickly, raising blood alcohol concentration to high levels; potentially fatal.

Question 5

alcohol proof

Answer 5

An indication of alcohol content in a beverage; in the U.S., proof is twice the ABV percentage.

Question 6

alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)

Answer 6

Term covering a variety of known morphological and organ system changes resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure.

Question 7

alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD)

Answer 7

Term covering a range of central nervous system changes (often characterized by dementia) caused by an adult’s prolonged alcohol misuse.

Question 8

alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND)

Answer 8

Refers to a range of neurodevelopmental and behavioral disabilities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure.

Question 9

aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)

Answer 9

An enzyme abundant in the liver involved in the second-step metabolism of alcohol (metabolizes acetaldehyde produced in the first step).

Question 10

ASAM levels of care

Answer 10

Set of guidelines established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine matching recommended treatment intensity to assessment of individuals in need of alcohol or other substance misuse/use disorder treatment.

Question 11

binge drinking (heavy episodic drinking)

Answer 11

Consuming 4 or more drinks within about 2 hours by women and 5 or more drinks in 2 hours by men.

Question 12

blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

Answer 12

Refers to the percent of ethanol in a person’s blood (sometimes referred to as blood alcohol level or BAL).

Question 13

delirium tremens

Answer 13

Confusion and other symptoms (e.g., shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating) related to alcohol withdrawal in some persons who have a history of heavy drinking.

Question 14

denatured alcohol

Answer 14

Ethanol that has been altered by additives to discourage consumption; may be poisonous/toxic or simply unpleasant (taste/smell).

Question 15

detoxification (detox)

Answer 15

A first step intervention to manage withdrawal from alcohol (or other substance) and used as a prelude to entering treatment.

Question 16

ethyl alcohol (ethanol or “grain” alcohol)

Answer 16

Names for the main chemical in alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits).

Question 17

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Answer 17

A continuum of conditions related to prenatal alcohol exposure.

Question 18

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Answer 18

On the FASD continuum, involving brain damage, impaired growth, and specific morphological differences of the face/head; may be full or partial outcome.

Question 19

heavy drinking

Answer 19

8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.

Question 20

heavy episodic drinking (HED)

Answer 20

See binge drinking.

Question 21

high-risk drinking

Answer 21

4 or more drinks on any day (binge drinking) or 8 or more drinks per week for women (heavy drinking); 5 or more drinks on any day (binge drinking) or 15 or more drinks per week for men (heavy drinking).

Question 22

standard drink measure

Answer 22

A way of indicating alcohol consumption, each standard drink equivalent is determined as 14 grams of pure ethanol in a beverage.

Question 23

teratogen

Answer 23

Any factor that disrupts fetal development, such as chemicals (including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs), x-rays, viral or bacterial infections.

Question 24

benzodiazepines

Answer 24

A class of (tranquilizer) psychoactive drugs used to treat anxiety, seizures, insomnia, or as a muscle relaxant; may be used in managing alcohol withdrawal under medical supervision.

Question 25

barbiturates

Answer 25

A class of sedative, CNS depressant sleep-inducing drugs, sometimes used for the treatment of headache, insomnia, and seizure disorders.

Question 26

cross-tolerance

Answer 26

Developing resistance to a specific substance due to repeated exposure to a similar substance, even if that specific substance was not previously used.

Question 27

hypnotic

Answer 27

A compound that promotes sleep or drowsiness.

Question 28

non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics/sleep medication

Answer 28

Drugs with sleep-promoting effects similar to benzodiazepines without or with less significant their common negative effects, such as rebound insomnia, withdrawal, tolerance, respiratory depression, memory impairment.

Question 29

sedative

Answer 29

A compound producing a calming effect and/or reducing excitability in the central nervous system.

Question 30

tranquilizers

Answer 30

Medications used to decrease anxiety and increase relaxation/calm state.