Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

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Prepare for the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) exam with our comprehensive practice resources, including quizzes, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions designed to enhance your knowledge and confidence for the test.

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What is physiological dependence?

A habit of using psychoactive substances
A mental craving for psychoactive substances
An adaptive state that results in withdrawal when use stops
A temporary reaction to drug withdrawal

The correct answer is: An adaptive state that results in withdrawal when use stops

Physiological dependence refers to an adaptive state that develops in response to the regular use of a substance. When an individual becomes physiologically dependent, their body has adjusted to the presence of the substance, leading to specific changes in neurochemistry and physical functioning. This adaptation means that if the substance is suddenly discontinued, the body can no longer function optimally without it, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and can affect a range of physical and psychological processes. The other options describe related concepts but do not define physiological dependence accurately. Using psychoactive substances can relate to habitual behavior, and a mental craving indicates psychological dependence rather than physiological. A temporary reaction to drug withdrawal may occur after cessation but does not encompass the ongoing adaptations that characterize physiological dependence.