An example of a "chronic" effect of a drug would be:

• A. A Getting high or intoxicated
• B. B Ataxia, or motor discoordination
• C. C Dying of an overdose
• D. D Cirrhosis of the liver

Answer: (D)

The main concept here is long-term health damage from sustained drug use—the difference between chronic effects that develop over years and acute effects that happen during use. Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic effect because it results from many years of heavy alcohol exposure, leading to progressive, irreversible scarring and potential liver failure. It develops over time, not as an immediate state you experience while intoxicated.

Getting high or intoxicated describes the immediate, enjoyable (or impairing) effects while using the drug. Dying of an overdose is an acute, life-threatening event that occurs at the moment of excessive intake. Ataxia is a motor coordination problem that can occur during intoxication; while long-term alcohol use can contribute to neuropathy, the example that best illustrates a chronic, long-term organ damage is cirrhosis.