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

Which process involves ridding the body of a psychoactive substance through urine, feces, sweat, saliva, or breath?

1. Metabolism

2. Diffusion

3. Elimination

4. Absorption

The correct answer is: Elimination

The focus of this question is on the physiological process that involves the removal of psychoactive substances from the body. The correct answer highlights the concept of elimination, which refers to the different ways the body expels substances it no longer needs. This can occur through various means, including urine, feces, sweat, saliva, or breath, effectively clearing the system of drugs and their metabolites. Understanding the context of elimination is vital in addiction counseling, as it informs practitioners about how substances behave within the body and affects withdrawal symptoms, screening for drug use, and potential detoxification protocols. Metabolism, while related to how substances are transformed biochemically in the body, does not directly entail their removal. Diffusion pertains to the movement of substances across membranes but does not specifically denote the physical expulsion from the body. Absorption refers to how substances enter the bloodstream, which is distinct from the processes involved in elimination. Thus, recognizing elimination as the process that encompasses the expulsion of substances is key in the study of addiction and substance use.