Sunil is 24 years old and has an IQ of about 65. He speaks clearly and understands what others say. He studied up to Class 5 in a supportive school and has a few close friends. He now works as a helper in a packing unit, doing simple unskilled work, and plans to marry next year. He copes well on most days, but he needs his sister's help when things become stressful. Their father has been drinking heavily for many years. Over time he has needed far larger amounts to feel any effect, and he becomes shaky and restless whenever he tries to stop. His drinking has cost him his job.
Over the years Sunil's father has needed far larger amounts of alcohol to feel any effect. What is this change in his body called?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Tolerance
Option (1) Withdrawal — Incorrect. Withdrawal is the set of responses that appear when a heavy drinker stops drinking. His shakiness when he tries to stop is withdrawal.
Option (2) Craving — Incorrect. Craving is a strong urge to take the substance. It can push a person to drink, but it is not the body needing more to feel the same effect.
Option (3) Intoxication — Incorrect. Intoxication is the drunken state soon after drinking, when thinking and driving are affected.
Option (4) Tolerance — Correct. Tolerance means the body gets used to alcohol, so the person must drink even greater amounts to feel its effects. This is the change seen in Sunil's father.
NCERT (2026-27): “Alcohol “and ability to think and work. Their bodies then build up a tolerance for alcohol and they need to drink even greater amounts to feel its effects. They also experience withdrawal responses when they stop drinking. …” |