National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

What is the greatest risk associated with CNS detox and withdrawal?

1. Delirium

2. Heart failure

3. Seizures

4. Psychosis

The correct answer is: Seizures

The greatest risk associated with CNS detox and withdrawal is seizures. During the process of detoxification from central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, individuals can experience a hyperexcitable state due to the sudden absence of these substances in their system. This can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms, among which seizures are a severe and potentially life-threatening complication. Seizures can occur as a result of neurological changes that happen when a person who has been dependent on CNS depressants stops using them suddenly. The nervous system, which has adapted to the presence of the depressants, may become overly stimulated after their removal, leading to convulsions. While delirium, heart failure, and psychosis can also be serious conditions associated with withdrawal, they are not as immediately life-threatening as seizures. Delirium tremens, for example, can result from severe alcohol withdrawal and is a dangerous condition that can include seizures, but the seizures themselves remain a primary concern in the context of direct risks during detox. Heart failure is generally more associated with long-term substance use rather than immediate withdrawal. Psychosis can occur in some individuals during withdrawal, but it typically does not present as an acute medical emergency in the same way that seizures do