CAI CAI Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Options 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which neurotransmitter system is most directly implicated in the reinforcing effects of opioids?
- Dopaminergic reward pathway (Correct answer)
- Serotonergic system
- GABAergic system
- Cholinergic system
Correct answer: Dopaminergic reward pathway
Opioids produce reinforcing effects primarily by activating the dopaminergic reward pathway in the brain.
Question 2: According to the DSM-5, how many criteria must be met within a 12-month period to diagnose a moderate substance use disorder?
- 2–3
- 4–5 (Correct answer)
- 6–7
- 8 or more
Correct answer: 4–5
A moderate substance use disorder requires meeting 4–5 of the 11 DSM-5 diagnostic criteria within a 12-month period.
Question 3: Which medication is approved for treating alcohol use disorder by reducing cravings through opioid receptor blockade?
- Naltrexone (Correct answer)
- Disulfiram
- Acamprosate
- Methadone
Correct answer: Naltrexone
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol and thereby decreasing cravings.
Question 4: What term describes the phenomenon where an individual requires increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect?
- Withdrawal
- Tolerance (Correct answer)
- Cross-dependence
- Sensitization
Correct answer: Tolerance
Tolerance is the need for progressively larger doses of a substance to achieve the original effect.
Question 5: Which level of care in the ASAM criteria involves clinically managed low-intensity residential services?
- Level 1.0
- Level 2.1
- Level 3.1 (Correct answer)
- Level 3.7
Correct answer: Level 3.1
ASAM Level 3.1 represents clinically managed low-intensity residential treatment for adults with stable functioning.
Question 6: Which co-occurring disorder is most commonly seen alongside alcohol use disorder?
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Major depressive disorder (Correct answer)
- Autism spectrum disorder
Correct answer: Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is the most frequently co-occurring psychiatric condition in individuals with alcohol use disorder.
CAI CAI Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Options 1
Which neurotransmitter system is most directly implicated in the reinforcing effects of opioids?