Final - Treating Drug Use

Question 1

How many Canadians meet diagnostic criteria for substance dependence?

Answer 1

Approximately 2 million.

Question 2

How much is spent annually on alcohol and drug abuse in Canada?

Answer 2

$47 billion.

Question 3

What are three proven benefits of treatment?

Answer 3

Reduces crime, increases employment, saves lives.

Question 4

What are pharmacological treatments used for in substance abuse?

Answer 4

To relieve withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings.

Question 5

Are pharmacological treatments a cure for substance use disorders?

Answer 5

No, they must be combined with other treatments.

Question 6

What is detoxification also known as?

Answer 6

Withdrawal management.

Question 7

What is the goal of detoxification?

Answer 7

To alleviate withdrawal symptoms after abrupt drug cessation.

Question 8

What is the purpose of maintenance treatment?

Answer 8

To help prevent relapse using long-term medication.

Question 9

What are the three types of maintenance treatments?

Answer 9

Agonist therapy, antagonist therapy, aversion therapy.

Question 10

What is agonist therapy?

Answer 10

Use of drugs that mimic neurotransmitters to reduce cravings.

Question 11

What is antagonist therapy?

Answer 11

Blocks drugs from binding to receptors, preventing euphoria.

Question 12

What is aversion therapy?

Answer 12

Creates unpleasant reactions when a drug is consumed.

Question 13

Which drug is used in aversion therapy for alcohol?

Answer 13

Disulfiram (Antabuse).

Question 14

What are symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 14

Tremors, tachycardia, sweating, hallucinations, seizures.

Question 15

Which medication is used during alcohol detoxification?

Answer 15

Benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam).

Question 16

What are the three approved maintenance medications for alcohol?

Answer 16

Naltrexone, Disulfiram, Acamprosate.

Question 17

What does Naltrexone do?

Answer 17

Mechanism of action is not understood. Reduces alcohol cravings and relapse rate by blocking opioid receptors.

Question 18

What is a side effect of Disulfiram?

Answer 18

Low compliance due to unpleasant symptoms.

Question 19

What is Acamprosate believed to mimic?

Answer 19

GABA.

Question 20

What are common nicotine withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 20

Anxiety, depression, insomnia, cravings.

Question 21

Name five nicotine replacement therapies approved in Canada.

Answer 21

Patch, gum, nasal spray, vapor inhaler, lozenge.

Question 22

What happens if someone smokes while using nicotine replacements?

Answer 22

Nicotine toxicity.

Question 23

What is Bupropion (Zyban)?

Answer 23

A non-nicotine smoking cessation drug also used for depression. Inhibits reuptake of dopamine & norepinephrine

Question 24

What is Varenicline (Champix)?

Answer 24

A partial nicotinic-receptor agonist used to reduce smoking.

Question 25

What is a concern with Varenicline?

Answer 25

Heart-related side effects in those with cardiovascular disease.

Question 26

What are e-cigarettes also known as?

Answer 26

Electronic smoking products or vapes.

Question 27

What is the nicotine limit for legal vapes in Canada (since 2021)?

Answer 27

20mg/ml.

Question 28

What are common opioid withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 28

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, pain.

Question 29

What is rapid opioid detoxification?

Answer 29

Using anesthesia and an opioid antagonist to induce withdrawal.

Question 30

When was the first methadone program established in BC?

Answer 30

1963

Question 31

What act governs methadone prescriptions in Canada?

Answer 31

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Question 32

How does methadone maintenance work?

Answer 32

It reduces cravings and creates cross-tolerance to opioids.

Question 33

What is Suboxone composed of?

Answer 33

Buprenorphine and naloxone.

Question 34

How does naloxone in Suboxone prevent misuse?

Answer 34

It causes withdrawal if injected.

Question 35

What are cocaine withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 35

Depression, anhedonia, fatigue, irritability, craving.

Question 36

Is there an approved medication for cocaine dependence?

Answer 36

No.

Question 37

What drug may be used off-label for cocaine?

Answer 37

Modafinil.

Question 38

What is cannabis ranked in use after alcohol and tobacco?

Answer 38

Third.

Question 39

What are symptoms of cannabis withdrawal?

Answer 39

Irritability, sleep issues, anxiety, aches.

Question 40

What drug may be used off-label for cannabis withdrawal?

Answer 40

Dronabinol (oral ∆9-THC).

Question 41

What are the two main treatment goal philosophies?

Answer 41

Abstinence and controlled social use.

Question 42

What is Alcoholics Anonymous based on?

Answer 42

A disease model requiring complete abstinence.

Question 43

What are some criticisms of AA?

Answer 43

Lack of research evidence for effectiveness.

Question 44

What are some indicators of treatment success?

Answer 44

Depends on goals; includes cost/benefit analyses.

Question 45

What is Motivational Enhancement Theory?

Answer 45

Shifts individuals from denial to motivation for change.

Question 46

What are the six stages of change?

Answer 46

Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, Relapse.

Question 47

What is Contingency Management?

Answer 47

Rewards drug-free urine samples with incentives.

Question 48

What is Relapse Prevention?

Answer 48

Teaches clients to change behaviors that lead to substance use.

Question 49

What type of therapy is relapse prevention based on?

Answer 49

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Question 50

What is harm reduction?

Answer 50

Strategies aimed at minimizing negative consequences of drug use.

Question 51

Does harm reduction require abstinence?

Answer 51

No.

Question 52

What are examples of harm reduction strategies?

Answer 52

Syringe exchanges, supervised sites, methadone programs.

Question 53

What is 'safe supply'?

Answer 53

Prescribing drugs to replace toxic illicit supply.

Question 54

Where was heroin-assisted treatment first developed?

Answer 54

Switzerland in the 1990s.

Question 55

What are concurrent disorders?

Answer 55

When a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental illness.

Question 56

What challenge do concurrent disorders present?

Answer 56

They complicate treatment approaches.

Question 57

What can pharmacological treatments be used for?

Answer 57

Both detoxification and maintenance phases.

Question 58

What are some benefits of treatment to society?

Answer 58

Lower healthcare and legal system burdens.

Question 59

Why is harm reduction controversial in Canada?

Answer 59

Debate continues over strategies like safe supply.

Question 60

What is the main goal of substance use treatment?

Answer 60

To reduce harm and improve health outcomes.