CASAC Foundations of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders 5

Question 1

Which of the following substances produces withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening without medical supervision?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol

Answer

Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, delirium tremens, and death, making it one of the few substance withdrawals requiring medical management.

Question 2

The biopsychosocial model of substance use disorders recognizes that addiction is caused by:

Accepted Answer

An interaction among biological, psychological, and social factors

Answer

The biopsychosocial model integrates biological (genetics, neurobiology), psychological (mental health, coping), and social (family, culture, environment) factors in understanding addiction.

Question 3

A CASAC counselor is reviewing a client's history and notes that the client's parent and grandparent both had alcohol use disorder. This most strongly suggests the role of:

Accepted Answer

Genetic heritability as a risk factor

Answer

Family history across multiple generations indicates a genetic heritability component; research shows alcohol use disorder has approximately 50% heritability.

Question 4

Stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine primarily exert their effects by:

Accepted Answer

Increasing dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the synapse

Answer

Stimulants work by blocking reuptake transporters and/or triggering release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, producing euphoria and increased energy.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates negative reinforcement as a factor maintaining substance use?

Accepted Answer

A person uses opioids to eliminate painful withdrawal symptoms

Answer

Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus (withdrawal pain) through substance use, which strengthens the behavior of using the substance.

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC Foundations of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders 5