LCAS Pharmacology of Addictive Substances 3

Question 1

Which FDA-approved medication for alcohol use disorder reduces cravings by blocking opioid receptors involved in alcohol's rewarding effects?

Accepted Answer

Naltrexone (Vivitrol/ReVia)

Answer

Naltrexone is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the endorphin-mediated rewarding effects of alcohol, reducing craving and the pleasure associated with drinking.

Question 2

Acamprosate (Campral) reduces alcohol craving and post-acute withdrawal discomfort primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Modulating the glutamate-GABA imbalance that persists into early recovery

Answer

Acamprosate stabilizes the glutamate-GABA imbalance caused by chronic alcohol exposure, reducing the hyperglutamatergic state and associated dysphoria that drive relapse in early recovery.

Question 3

Disulfiram (Antabuse) deters alcohol use through which pharmacological mechanism?

Accepted Answer

It inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing toxic acetaldehyde accumulation when alcohol is consumed

Answer

Disulfiram blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde (a toxic alcohol metabolite) to acetate, causing acetaldehyde to accumulate and producing flushing, nausea, and palpitations.

Question 4

In addiction pharmacology, 'cross-tolerance' is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

Tolerance to one drug that extends to other pharmacologically similar drugs, enabling substitution

Answer

Cross-tolerance means that tolerance or physical dependence developed with one drug provides tolerance to other drugs in the same pharmacological class, which is why benzodiazepines can prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures.

Question 5

The pharmacological concept of 'half-life' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

The time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%

Answer

Half-life is the time required for the plasma drug concentration to fall to half of its original value, which determines dosing frequency and predicts the duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms.

LCAS - Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Practice Test

LCAS - Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Practice Test

LCAS Pharmacology of Addictive Substances 3