National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

What term describes when substances taken together produce a greater effect than expected?

1. Potentiation

2. Tolerance

3. Synergism

4. Antagonism

The correct answer is: Potentiation

The term that describes when substances taken together produce a greater effect than expected is potentiation. This occurs when the combined effects of two or more substances enhance each other's actions, resulting in a more significant impact than if each substance were taken individually. For example, if one drug amplifies the effects of another, the overall outcome can surpass the anticipated effects of either drug alone. This phenomenon is important in the context of addiction counseling, as it can lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous consequences for individuals using multiple substances. Other concepts such as tolerance, synergism, and antagonism relate to substance effects but do not specifically capture the notion of enhanced effects beyond what was initially expected. Tolerance refers to a person's diminished response to a substance following its repeated use, while synergism involves substances working together but doesn't necessarily imply that the effect exceeded expectations. Antagonism, on the other hand, describes when one substance counteracts the effects of another, leading to a reduction rather than an increase in total effect. Understanding these terms is crucial for addiction counselors when assessing substance use and its implications for treatment.