Which of the following is NOT a sign of substance intoxication or withdrawal?

• A. Odor of alcohol
• B. Memory loss
• C. Tremor
• D. Nystagmus

Answer: (B)

The key idea is distinguishing signs seen with acute substance intoxication or withdrawal from longer-term effects. In the moment of intoxication or during withdrawal, you typically see concrete physiological or behavioral signs such as an odor of alcohol, tremor, and nystagmus. Memory loss, on the other hand, is not an immediate, direct sign of current intoxication or withdrawal. It is more characteristic of chronic alcohol-related brain damage (for example, Korsakoff syndrome from thiamine deficiency) rather than the acute withdrawal or intoxication state. So memory loss is not a sign of the current intoxication/withdrawal process, making it the correct choice. The odor of alcohol clearly indicates recent intake, tremor is common in withdrawal, and nystagmus is a classic sign of intoxication.