CRS Substance Abuse Knowledge 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model is characterized by a client acknowledging a problem but not yet committed to change?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Action
Correct answer: Contemplation
In the contemplation stage, individuals are aware of a problem and considering change but are ambivalent and not yet ready to commit.
Question 2: Inhalant abuse is most commonly seen in which demographic group?
- Adults aged 30–50
- Older adults
- Adolescents and young teens (Correct answer)
- Pregnant women
Correct answer: Adolescents and young teens
Inhalant abuse is most prevalent among adolescents and young teens due to easy access to household products and lower costs.
Question 3: A client in early recovery reports intense cravings when passing a bar they used to frequent. This is an example of:
- Physical dependence
- Post-acute withdrawal syndrome
- Conditioned cue reactivity (Correct answer)
- Euphoric recall
Correct answer: Conditioned cue reactivity
Conditioned cue reactivity occurs when environmental cues associated with past substance use trigger cravings through classical conditioning.
Question 4: Which of the following substances has the longest half-life and is therefore associated with a milder but more prolonged withdrawal?
- Heroin
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Diazepam (Valium) (Correct answer)
- Alcohol
Correct answer: Diazepam (Valium)
Diazepam has a very long half-life (20–100 hours), producing a slower onset and more gradual, prolonged withdrawal compared to short-acting benzodiazepines.
Question 5: The term 'enabling' in the context of substance use disorders refers to:
- Providing evidence-based treatment support
- Behaviors by others that inadvertently protect the user from consequences (Correct answer)
- Motivating a client toward recovery goals
- Prescribing medication-assisted treatment
Correct answer: Behaviors by others that inadvertently protect the user from consequences
Enabling involves behaviors by family members or others that shield the person with a substance use disorder from the natural consequences of their use.
Question 6: Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of opioid withdrawal?
- Constricted pupils and euphoria
- Hypersomnia and increased appetite
- Lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and muscle aching (Correct answer)
- Elevated mood and increased energy
Correct answer: Lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and muscle aching
Opioid withdrawal is characterized by autonomic symptoms including tearing (lacrimation), runny nose (rhinorrhea), and widespread muscle aching.
Question 7: Acamprosate (Campral) is used in alcohol use disorder treatment primarily to:
- Produce a disulfiram-like aversive reaction to alcohol
- Block opioid receptors to reduce alcohol cravings
- Reduce post-acute withdrawal symptoms and support abstinence (Correct answer)
- Accelerate alcohol metabolism
Correct answer: Reduce post-acute withdrawal symptoms and support abstinence
Acamprosate modulates glutamate and GABA systems to reduce protracted withdrawal symptoms and help maintain abstinence in alcohol use disorder.
CRS Substance Abuse Knowledge 4
Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model is characterized by a client acknowledging a problem but not yet committed to change?