Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What is the primary risk associated with methamphetamine use?

1. Dependence and addiction

2. Color blindness

3. Muscle growth

4. Cognitive enhancement

The correct answer is: Dependence and addiction

The primary risk associated with methamphetamine use is dependence and addiction. Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that significantly affects brain chemistry, leading to intense feelings of euphoria. However, these effects are short-lived, often prompting users to consume the drug repeatedly in a bid to recapture that high. This pattern of behavior can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependence, where individuals feel they cannot function without the drug. As addiction develops, individuals may experience severe withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using. These symptoms can include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and intense cravings for the substance, further perpetuating the cycle of use. The risk of developing a substance use disorder is a serious consequence of methamphetamine use and is compounded by the drug's potential for abuse and its impact on social, occupational, and health-related aspects of life. Other options such as color blindness, muscle growth, and cognitive enhancement do not accurately reflect the significant risks associated with methamphetamine use. Color blindness is unrelated to meth usage, muscle growth can be misleading as meth typically leads to weight loss and malnutrition rather than muscle gain, and while some users may experience temporary increases in energy or focus, the long-term cognitive effects are often negative, including memory loss and impairments in