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Addiction Technician Foundational Knowledge Flashcards

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

Read the first 7 Addiction Technician Foundational Knowledge flashcards as text
  1. Which neurotransmitter is most directly associated with the rewarding effects of addictive substances?

    Answer: Dopamine

    Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in the brain's reward pathway, and most addictive substances cause a surge of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.

  2. A client in early recovery reports strong cravings after passing a bar where they used to drink. This is best described as:

    Answer: Conditioned cue response

    Environmental cues (places, people, objects) associated with past substance use can trigger conditioned cravings through classical conditioning.

  3. Which of the following is a PRIMARY characteristic of physical dependence?

    Answer: Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation

    Physical dependence is defined by the presence of withdrawal symptoms when substance use is stopped or significantly reduced.

  4. The ASAM Patient Placement Criteria primarily helps clinicians determine:

    Answer: The appropriate level of care for a client

    The ASAM criteria provide a multidimensional framework to match patients to the most appropriate level of care based on clinical needs.

  5. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is based on which therapeutic style?

    Answer: Collaborative and client-centered

    MI is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication that strengthens a person's own motivation and commitment to change.

  6. Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model describes a client who is actively making changes but has been doing so for fewer than six months?

    Answer: Action

    The Action stage involves the client actively modifying their behavior, experiences, or environment to overcome their problem within the past six months.

  7. What is the primary purpose of a biopsychosocial assessment in addiction treatment?

    Answer: To gather comprehensive information across biological, psychological, and social domains

    A biopsychosocial assessment collects information about a client's physical health, mental health, and social circumstances to inform a holistic treatment plan.