Question No. 1

Which of these is a symptom of alcohol overdose?

A. Irregular breathing
B. Confusion
C. Vomiting
D. All of the above

D. Alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control, begin to shut down. Symptoms of alcohol overdose include confusion; difficulty remaining conscious; vomiting; seizures; trouble breathing; slow heart rate; clammy skin; dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking); and extremely low body temperature. If you suspect someone is experiencing an alcohol overdose, get medical help immediately. Cold showers, hot coffee, or walking will not reverse the effects of alcohol overdose and could actually make things worse. Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death. To learn more about alcohol overdose, visit: https:// pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/ AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdosefact.htm

Question No. 2

There have been a lot of news reports lately about people overdosing on prescription pain relievers, known as opioids. How many people died in in the United States in 2015 from pain reliever overdoses?

A. 2,458
B. 11,702
C. 22,598
D. 104,096

C. Nearly 23,000 people died in the United States from prescription opioid pain reliever overdoses in 2015. 13,000 died from heroin overdoses the same year. Heroin is also an opioid. Most people who use heroin started by first misusing opioid pain relievers. These pain relievers should ONLY BE TAKEN AS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR. It is impossible to predict who will become addicted. To learn more about opioid overdose rates, visit https://www. drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trendsstatistics/overdose-death-rates.

Question No. 3

The brain is particularly vulnerable to damage from alcohol while it is still developing. Until about what age does the brain continue to develop?

A. Until around age 18
B. Well into the 20s
C. Around age 35
D. Until around age 1

B. Research shows that young people’s brains keep developing well into their 20s. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting both the brain’s structure and its function, meaning how well it processes information. This can cause cognitive or learning problems later in life. This is especially a risk when people start drinking young and drink heavily. Learn more about how alcohol affects the brain at https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/ publications/UnderageDrinking/ UnderageFact.htm.

Question No. 4

How does alcohol affect the teenage brain in the short term? Choose all that are correct.

A. It compromises decision-making and the ability to recognize danger.
B. It acts to increase attention and focus.
C. It improves memory.
D. It improves vision when consumed in small amounts.

A. In the short term, a young person who drinks may have decreased motor coordination and make poor, and often risky, decisions, resulting in tragic consequences such as injuries, violence, or death. It also slows down a person’s ability to recognize and respond to potential danger. Alcohol can also have long-term effects that are permanent. To learn more, visit https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/ publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm.

Question No. 5

About how many people age 16 and older say they have driven after taking illicit drugs?

A. 40,000
B. 1.9 million
C. 4 million
D. 12 million

D. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2016, nearly 12 million people age 16 or older drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. 20.7 million people age 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol. Learn more about drugged driving at https://www. drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving.