Common
Cannabis
Cannabis
What is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
What is the most serious acute complication of opioid use?
Overdose. Opioid overdose can lead to respiratory depression and death. It's the leading cause of drug-related mortality in the U.S.
The most commonly affected organ system when stimulants are used
Cardiovascular system
True or False?: LSD can cause irreversible psychosis.
False
True or False: Lecturing a patient about the dangers of drug use is an effective component of motivational interviewing.
False. Lecturing or confronting a patient, even with good intentions, often increases resistance and is unlikely to alter behavior. Instead, clinicians should assess readiness, provide personalized feedback, express concern, and offer clear but nonjudgmental advice.
True or False: Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Cannabis impairs reaction time and coordination, increasing the risk of driving-related injuries and collisions.
Which two medications used for opioid use disorder are opioid agonists?
Methadone and buprenorphine.
Methadone is a full agonist, and buprenorphine is a partial agonist. Both reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and are proven to lower mortality.
True or False: Medications are the main treatment for stimulant use disorder.
False
True or False? True hallucinations are common when taking hallucinogens (also called, "psychedelics")
While called "hallucinogens," these drugs more commonly cause perceptual distortions—like intensified colors or altered sense of time—rather than true hallucinations, which involve perceiving things that aren’t there.
List the 6 stages of change. Full credit for at least 3.
1. Precontemplation - "There's no issue"
2. Contemplation - "Pros/Cons"; expect them to stay here a long time
3. Preparation - "Ok, let's do this"
4. Action - "Change has taken place"
5. Maintenence - "Continued staged of action"
6. Relapse - "Expected, try to reduce the amount of time spent in this stage moving forward"
True or False: Cannabis smoke has been linked to COPD
Cannabis smoke contains toxins that are potentially damaging to lung function. Cannabis smoking is associated with adverse respiratory symptoms including cough, sputum production and wheezing, but has not been shown to lead to chronic obstructive lung disease.
True or False: Primary care providers in the U.S. can prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder.
False
Only licensed opioid treatment programs can prescribe methadone for addiction. However, any provider with a DEA license can prescribe buprenorphine.
This pre-existing condition is most likely to be found in cocaine users who experience an MI
Coronary artery disease
What is the active ingredient in "ecstasy"?
MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is the main active ingredient in ecstasy. It has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, increasing serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. While users report enhanced mood, empathy, and sensory perception, MDMA can also cause serious complications like hyperthermia, hyponatremia, and arrhythmias—especially in high doses or when adulterants are present.
The acronym DARN-C in motivational interviewing refers to which of the following?
A. Denial, Avoidance, Rationalization, Neglect, Control
B. Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need, Commitment
C. Depression, Anxiety, Relapse, Neglect, Conflict
D. Discuss, Acknowledge, Reflect, Negotiate, Change
Answer: B. Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need, Commitment
Explanation: These are the elements of “change talk” that motivational interviewing aims to elicit.
What is one cardiovascular complication that has been linked to daily cannabis use in recent studies?
Myocardial infarction or stroke
Emerging evidence suggests an association between daily cannabis use and increased risk of cardiovascular events, though data are still evolving.
What is one major risk when initiating buprenorphine too soon after opioid use?
Precipitated withdrawal
Because buprenorphine is a partial agonist with high receptor affinity, it can displace full agonists (like fentanyl or heroin) and cause sudden withdrawal if started too early. Therefore it is recommended to wait until the patient has withdrawal symptoms (COWS > 8) to initiate buprenorphine
What is the mainstay of treatment for stimulant disorders?
Psychosocial modalities, including self-help groups (Narcotics anonymous), brief office-based intervention, intensive counseling
What is the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms"?
Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms. In the body, it's converted to psilocin, which activates serotonin receptors—particularly 5-HT2A—leading to altered perception, mood, and thought. Effects include visual distortions and a changed sense of time, but serious toxicity is rare. However, "bad trips" with anxiety or paranoia can occur, especially in unfamiliar or stressful environments.
What are the four groups used by the DSM-5 to diagnose substance use disorder?
Group 1: Impaired control
Group 2: Social impairment
Group 3: Risky use
Group 4: Pharmacologic dependence
What are the main cognitive and psychiatric concerns associated with daily cannabis use?
Daily cannabis use can impair neurocognitive function—such as memory, attention, and learning—with effects that may persist beyond the period of intoxication. It’s also associated with worsened mental health outcomes, including increased risk of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, especially in individuals with a personal or family history of psychiatric illness.
Name adjunctive agents that can be used for the following withdrawal symptoms (all 4 required for credit)
Diarrhea
Abdominal discomfort
Nausea/vomiting
Body aches
Diarrhea (e.g., loperamide)
Abdominal discomfort (e.g., dicyclomine)
Nausea/vomiting (e.g., compazine, promethazine)
Body aches (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
This life-threatening complication of stimulant use is more likely to occur on hot days due to cocaine’s inhibition of sweating, vasodilation, and heat perception.
Cocaine-induced hyperthermia
What is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)?
HPPD is a rare phenomenon most associated with LSD, where individuals experience persistent or recurrent perceptual disturbances—like visual trails or afterimages—after the drug’s effects have worn off. The exact cause is unknown, and treatment data is limited, but most cases are benign and non-psychotic in nature.
What is the public health strategy that focuses on reducing the negative consequences of drug use—such as overdose and infectious disease transmission—without necessarily requiring the person to stop using drugs?
Harm reduction is an approach that aims to minimize the health and societal risks of drug use. It includes interventions like needle exchange programs, supervised injection facilities, and widespread naloxone distribution. Rather than insisting on immediate abstinence, it meets patients where they are and prioritizes safety, dignity, and engagement with care.