1. Which of the following is a characteristic of motivational interviewing (MI)?
A. Directive and confrontational
B. Non-judgmental and client-centered
C. Focuses on moral principles
D. Uses guilt to motivate clients
Answer: B. Non-judgmental and client-centered
Rationale: Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, directive method for enhancing
intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. It is non-judgmental and
empathetic, rather than confrontational.
2. Which of the following is an example of a psychoactive drug?
A. Vitamin C
B. Alcohol
C. Caffeine-free tea
D. Aspirin
Answer: B. Alcohol
Rationale: Psychoactive drugs alter mood, perception, or consciousness. Alcohol is a central
nervous system depressant that fits this description. The other options are not psychoactive.
3. The DSM-5 defines substance use disorder as a pattern of substance use that
leads to significant impairment or distress, which includes:
A. Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms only
B. Cravings and loss of control
C. Only legal problems related to substance use
D. Periods of complete abstinence
Answer: B. Cravings and loss of control
Rationale: The DSM-5 outlines criteria for substance use disorder, including cravings, inability
to control substance use, continued use despite negative consequences, and withdrawal
symptoms, among others.
4. In terms of drug classification, which of the following substances is considered
a stimulant?
,A. Heroin
B. Cocaine
C. Marijuana
D. Alcohol
Answer: B. Cocaine
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant, which means it increases central nervous system activity.
Heroin is an opioid (depressant), marijuana is a psychoactive cannabis, and alcohol is also a
depressant.
5. The primary goal of treatment for alcohol use disorder is to:
A. Encourage total abstinence from all substances
B. Achieve harm reduction
C. Prevent relapse and reduce cravings
D. Punish the individual for their behavior
Answer: C. Prevent relapse and reduce cravings
Rationale: Treatment for alcohol use disorder primarily focuses on preventing relapse and
reducing cravings, with the ultimate goal of improving the client’s overall quality of life.
6. The stage of change in which an individual is actively considering behavior
change is called:
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
Answer: B. Contemplation
Rationale: In the contemplation stage, individuals are aware of their problems and are
considering making a change, but they have not yet committed to action.
7. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with addiction and the
brain's reward system?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
, Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine is the neurotransmitter most closely linked to the brain's reward system. It
plays a significant role in feelings of pleasure and reinforcement, which are central to addiction.
8. What is the term for the increasing need for a substance in order to achieve
the same effect?
A. Tolerance
B. Withdrawal
C. Dependence
D. Intoxication
Answer: A. Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when an individual needs to consume more of a substance over
time to achieve the same effect due to the body’s adaptation to the drug.
9. Which of the following therapeutic approaches is most commonly used to help
clients identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior related
to substance use?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B. Solution-Focused Therapy
C. Family Systems Therapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Rationale: CBT helps clients recognize and change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, making
it an effective approach for treating substance use disorders.
10. Which of the following is a key component of relapse prevention?
A. Avoiding all social interactions
B. Identifying triggers and developing coping strategies
C. Focusing solely on past mistakes
D. Encouraging complete isolation
Answer: B. Identifying triggers and developing coping strategies
Rationale: Relapse prevention focuses on helping clients recognize their personal triggers for
substance use and develop coping strategies to manage high-risk situations.
A. Directive and confrontational
B. Non-judgmental and client-centered
C. Focuses on moral principles
D. Uses guilt to motivate clients
Answer: B. Non-judgmental and client-centered
Rationale: Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, directive method for enhancing
intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. It is non-judgmental and
empathetic, rather than confrontational.
2. Which of the following is an example of a psychoactive drug?
A. Vitamin C
B. Alcohol
C. Caffeine-free tea
D. Aspirin
Answer: B. Alcohol
Rationale: Psychoactive drugs alter mood, perception, or consciousness. Alcohol is a central
nervous system depressant that fits this description. The other options are not psychoactive.
3. The DSM-5 defines substance use disorder as a pattern of substance use that
leads to significant impairment or distress, which includes:
A. Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms only
B. Cravings and loss of control
C. Only legal problems related to substance use
D. Periods of complete abstinence
Answer: B. Cravings and loss of control
Rationale: The DSM-5 outlines criteria for substance use disorder, including cravings, inability
to control substance use, continued use despite negative consequences, and withdrawal
symptoms, among others.
4. In terms of drug classification, which of the following substances is considered
a stimulant?
,A. Heroin
B. Cocaine
C. Marijuana
D. Alcohol
Answer: B. Cocaine
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant, which means it increases central nervous system activity.
Heroin is an opioid (depressant), marijuana is a psychoactive cannabis, and alcohol is also a
depressant.
5. The primary goal of treatment for alcohol use disorder is to:
A. Encourage total abstinence from all substances
B. Achieve harm reduction
C. Prevent relapse and reduce cravings
D. Punish the individual for their behavior
Answer: C. Prevent relapse and reduce cravings
Rationale: Treatment for alcohol use disorder primarily focuses on preventing relapse and
reducing cravings, with the ultimate goal of improving the client’s overall quality of life.
6. The stage of change in which an individual is actively considering behavior
change is called:
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Preparation
D. Action
Answer: B. Contemplation
Rationale: In the contemplation stage, individuals are aware of their problems and are
considering making a change, but they have not yet committed to action.
7. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with addiction and the
brain's reward system?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
, Answer: A. Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine is the neurotransmitter most closely linked to the brain's reward system. It
plays a significant role in feelings of pleasure and reinforcement, which are central to addiction.
8. What is the term for the increasing need for a substance in order to achieve
the same effect?
A. Tolerance
B. Withdrawal
C. Dependence
D. Intoxication
Answer: A. Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when an individual needs to consume more of a substance over
time to achieve the same effect due to the body’s adaptation to the drug.
9. Which of the following therapeutic approaches is most commonly used to help
clients identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior related
to substance use?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B. Solution-Focused Therapy
C. Family Systems Therapy
D. Psychoanalysis
Answer: A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Rationale: CBT helps clients recognize and change maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, making
it an effective approach for treating substance use disorders.
10. Which of the following is a key component of relapse prevention?
A. Avoiding all social interactions
B. Identifying triggers and developing coping strategies
C. Focusing solely on past mistakes
D. Encouraging complete isolation
Answer: B. Identifying triggers and developing coping strategies
Rationale: Relapse prevention focuses on helping clients recognize their personal triggers for
substance use and develop coping strategies to manage high-risk situations.
