CADC - Certification Prep and Alcohol and Drug Counselor Pharmacology of Substance Abuse Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client with an alcohol use disorder is prescribed disulfiram (Antabuse). The counselor should explain that this medication works by:

Accepted Answer

Causing a severe adverse reaction when alcohol is consumed by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Answer

Reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol by blocking opioid receptors.

Answer

Stabilizing glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems to reduce cravings.

Answer

Acting as a partial agonist at the opioid receptor to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Question 2

A client who uses cocaine reports an intense 'rush' followed by a 'crash'. From a pharmacological perspective, the initial intense euphoria is primarily caused by cocaine's action of:

Accepted Answer

Blocking the reuptake of dopamine in the brain's reward pathway.

Answer

Increasing the release of serotonin from the presynaptic neuron.

Answer

Enhancing the effects of GABA at the receptor site.

Answer

Mimicking the effects of endogenous opioids.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax)?

Accepted Answer

They are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors.

Answer

They are antagonists at dopamine D2 receptors.

Answer

They block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Answer

They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase.

Question 4

A client is being considered for medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder and reports a goal of complete abstinence. They have no liver problems but struggle with cravings. Which medication works by modulating the glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems to help maintain abstinence?

Accepted Answer

Acamprosate

Answer

Disulfiram

Answer

Naltrexone

Answer

Buprenorphine

Question 5

A client who has been using heroin for several months abruptly stops. Within 8-12 hours, they begin to experience muscle aches, anxiety, runny nose, and excessive yawning. These symptoms are characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Acute opioid withdrawal

Answer

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)

Answer

Acetaldehyde syndrome

Answer

Stimulant-induced psychosis

Question 6

Which of the following correctly distinguishes buprenorphine from methadone in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD)?

Accepted Answer

Methadone can only be dispensed through federally regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

Answer

Methadone is a partial opioid agonist, while buprenorphine is a full opioid agonist.

Answer

Buprenorphine has a higher risk of respiratory depression and overdose than methadone.

Answer

Buprenorphine completely blocks opioid receptors, making it an opioid antagonist like naltrexone.