Which statement about alcohol is true?

Which statement about alcohol is true?

• A. It can cause anxiety
• B. It can relieve anxiety
• C. It has no effect on mood
• D. It can lower blood pressure

Answer: (A)

Alcohol changes mood by acting on brain chemistry as a depressant. While it may feel calming at first, that relief is temporary. As the body processes the alcohol and sleep is disrupted, anxiety often returns and can even intensify, especially with withdrawal or heavy use. Because of these rebound and withdrawal effects, anxiety is a real and common outcome of alcohol use. That’s why this statement is true. The idea that it reliably relieves anxiety isn’t consistent over time, and alcohol clearly affects mood, so saying it has no mood effect isn’t accurate. Its effect on blood pressure is not consistent or universal, so that isn’t a solid true statement either.

Alcohol changes mood by acting on brain chemistry as a depressant. While it may feel calming at first, that relief is temporary. As the body processes the alcohol and sleep is disrupted, anxiety often returns and can even intensify, especially with withdrawal or heavy use. Because of these rebound and withdrawal effects, anxiety is a real and common outcome of alcohol use. That’s why this statement is true. The idea that it reliably relieves anxiety isn’t consistent over time, and alcohol clearly affects mood, so saying it has no mood effect isn’t accurate. Its effect on blood pressure is not consistent or universal, so that isn’t a solid true statement either.