CASAC Pharmacology & Co-Occurring Disorders 5

Question 1

A client presents with methamphetamine use disorder and co-occurring psychosis. The counselor should understand that methamphetamine-induced psychosis:

Accepted Answer

Typically resolves with abstinence but may persist weeks to months in heavy users

Answer

Methamphetamine-induced psychosis commonly resolves with sustained abstinence, though heavy long-term users may experience prolonged or recurrent psychotic symptoms.

Question 2

Which pharmacodynamic property makes fentanyl particularly dangerous compared to heroin in the context of overdose?

Accepted Answer

Fentanyl is approximately 50–100 times more potent, making therapeutic doses indistinguishable from lethal doses

Answer

Fentanyl's extreme potency means that even a tiny dose miscalculation can cause fatal respiratory depression, and street supplies are inconsistently dosed.

Question 3

A CASAC counselor is working with a client whose antidepressant dose was recently increased while the client also uses heavy amounts of alcohol. The counselor's PRIORITY concern should be:

Accepted Answer

Alcohol's CNS depressant effects may be additive with sedating antidepressants, increasing accident risk

Answer

Alcohol's CNS depression combined with sedating antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics, mirtazapine) increases risk of psychomotor impairment, sedation, and accidental injury.

Question 4

The term 'dual diagnosis' or 'co-occurring disorders' is most precisely defined as:

Accepted Answer

The co-existence of at least one substance use disorder and at least one mental health disorder

Answer

Dual diagnosis refers specifically to the co-occurrence of a substance use disorder alongside a diagnosable psychiatric/mental health disorder in the same individual.

Question 5

Varenicline (Chantix) aids smoking cessation primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Acting as a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptors, reducing withdrawal and blocking nicotine's reinforcing effects

Answer

Varenicline's partial agonism at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors provides enough stimulation to reduce cravings while blocking nicotine from producing its full reinforcing effect.

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC Pharmacology & Co-Occurring Disorders 5