Substance Use Disorder Assessment & Treatment Flashcards

Which withdrawal syndrome is considered potentially life-threatening without medical supervision?

Answer: Alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal can progress to delirium tremens, seizures, and death, making it medically dangerous without supervision.

The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool with four questions. What does the 'A' in CAGE stand for?

Answer: Annoyance when criticized about drinking

In CAGE, 'A' stands for 'Annoyed' — whether others have annoyed the person by criticizing their drinking.

A recovery specialist is conducting an intake and notices a client has not been honest about drug use. The BEST response is to:

Answer: Use open-ended questions and a non-judgmental tone to build rapport

Building a trusting, non-judgmental therapeutic alliance through open-ended questions encourages honest disclosure over time.

Which of the following best describes 'tolerance' as a criterion for Substance Use Disorder?

Answer: Needing more of a substance to achieve the same effect

Tolerance is defined as requiring markedly increased amounts of a substance to achieve the desired effect or diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

Long-term residential treatment (therapeutic community) is most appropriate for individuals who:

Answer: Have severe SUD with limited social support and unstable living situations

Long-term residential treatment is designed for those with severe disorders who lack stable housing or social support and need an immersive recovery environment.

Which federally approved medication is used for alcohol use disorder and works by causing aversive reactions when alcohol is consumed?

Answer: Disulfiram

Disulfiram blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing an unpleasant reaction (flushing, nausea, palpitations) when alcohol is ingested.

In the context of SUD treatment, what is 'harm reduction'?

Answer: Strategies that reduce negative consequences of drug use without requiring abstinence

Harm reduction encompasses policies and programs that aim to reduce the negative health, social, and economic impacts of substance use without requiring abstinence.