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Pharmacology and Substance Knowledge Flashcards

6 cards from real CAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Pharmacology and Substance Knowledge flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following best describes 'tolerance' in the context of substance use?

    Answer: The need for increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect

    Tolerance is a neuroadaptive process in which the brain adjusts to repeated exposure to a substance, requiring more of it to produce the original effect.

  2. Acamprosate (Campral) treats alcohol use disorder primarily by:

    Answer: Reducing post-acute withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and dysphoria that trigger relapse

    Acamprosate modulates glutamate and GABA activity to restore neurochemical balance disturbed by chronic alcohol use, reducing the persistent discomfort that drives relapse.

  3. Cannabis withdrawal syndrome commonly includes which symptoms?

    Answer: Irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and decreased appetite

    Cannabis withdrawal, officially recognized in DSM-5, includes irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and reduced appetite, typically peaking in the first week of abstinence.

  4. Stimulant use disorder (cocaine, methamphetamine) is primarily characterized by which type of withdrawal?

    Answer: Psychological — characterized by dysphoria, fatigue, and intense cravings (crash)

    Stimulant withdrawal, called the 'crash,' is primarily psychological — featuring profound depression, exhaustion, and strong drug cravings — rather than the physical symptoms seen with opioids or alcohol.

  5. Which opioid withdrawal symptom helps a counselor assess whether a client is in early withdrawal?

    Answer: Yawning, lacrimation (tearing), and gooseflesh (piloerection)

    Early opioid withdrawal presents with yawning, tearing eyes, runny nose, gooseflesh, and restlessness — symptoms caused by the sudden rebound of noradrenergic activity.

  6. What is 'cross-tolerance' in pharmacology as it applies to addiction?

    Answer: Tolerance developed to one substance that also reduces the effect of a chemically similar substance

    Cross-tolerance occurs because drugs in the same class act on the same receptors; tolerance developed with one (e.g., heroin) extends to others in the class (e.g., morphine).