NAADAC Module 1: Pharmacology Exam Questions with Correct Answers 100% Verified By
Experts| 2025/2026 Latest Update
Uppers CNS Stimulants: cocaine, amphetamines & meth, caffeine, nicotine
Downers CNS Depressants: alcohol, benzos, barbituates, opiates, sedative- hypnotics,
muscle relaxants, antihistamines
All-Arounders psychedelics (LSD, mushrooms, MDMA/Ecstacy, PCP, DXM) and Cannabis
Cross- Tolerance the ability of pharmacologically similar substances to substiture for the
other in relation to tolerance and to prevent withdrawal
Abuse Liability risk potential associated with a substance becoming repeatedly used and/or
dependence inducing
Half- Life The amount of time it takes to eliminate 1/2 of the original dosage from the body
Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain & spine
Limbic system Within the CNS, Controls Emotions
Reticular Activating System Within the CNS, responsible for the state of arousal
Basal Ganglia Within the CNS: responsible for involuntary and fine motor skills
Cerebral Cortex within the CNS: part of the limbic system that controls voluntary motor skills
and sensory input
,Sympathetic Nervous System secondary within the ANS- when activated increases
breathing, heart rate, etc.
Parasymphathetic Nervous System Secondary within the ANS- when activated decreases
breathing, heart rate, etc.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters Dopamine, serotonin, GABA
Excitatory Neurotransmitters glutamate, epinephrine
Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotransmitters Acetylcoline, norepinephrine
Sterotypy common with stimulants: repeating the same behavior over and over again
*How long does alcohol detox take?* Five days or less
Sedative-hypnotics substances used to alleviate anxiety and to induce sleep
Potentiation substances taken together work synergistically to produce an effect greater
than expected due to the interaction
Examples of short-term CNS Depressant Physiological effects slurred speech, drowsiness,
dizziness, staggering gait, impaired coordination, etc
Examples of short-term CNS Depressant Psychological effects loss of memory, decreased
fear, confusion, irritability, euphoria, inappropriate, obnoxious behavior, sorrow, etc
Alcohol proof twice the percentage of alcohol by concentration
, Fermentation proof (concentration of ethyl alcohol) 12% or 24 proof
Distillation proof 95% or 190 proof
Blood alcohol level/concentration amount of alcohol in the blood
legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) .08
.10 level of BAC to drive in a few states
Examples of short-term physiological effects of Alcohol slurred speech, staggering, elevated
heartbeat, etc
Examples of short-term psychological effect of Alcohol delusions, loss of memory, loss of
control, irritability, euphoria, paranoia, decreased inhibition, etc
Early Stage Alcohol Dependence escaping from social situations and sneaking, feelings of
guilt, difficulty stopping once begun, and preoccupation with drinking
Middle Stage Alcohol Dependence loss of control over drinking behavior, impaired social
relationships, changes in drinking patterns, temporary sobriety, morning drinking, and neglect
of needs
Late Stage Alcohol Dependence Drink to function.
Pharmacotherapy Medication used to treat psychoactive substance use disorders
Experts| 2025/2026 Latest Update
Uppers CNS Stimulants: cocaine, amphetamines & meth, caffeine, nicotine
Downers CNS Depressants: alcohol, benzos, barbituates, opiates, sedative- hypnotics,
muscle relaxants, antihistamines
All-Arounders psychedelics (LSD, mushrooms, MDMA/Ecstacy, PCP, DXM) and Cannabis
Cross- Tolerance the ability of pharmacologically similar substances to substiture for the
other in relation to tolerance and to prevent withdrawal
Abuse Liability risk potential associated with a substance becoming repeatedly used and/or
dependence inducing
Half- Life The amount of time it takes to eliminate 1/2 of the original dosage from the body
Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain & spine
Limbic system Within the CNS, Controls Emotions
Reticular Activating System Within the CNS, responsible for the state of arousal
Basal Ganglia Within the CNS: responsible for involuntary and fine motor skills
Cerebral Cortex within the CNS: part of the limbic system that controls voluntary motor skills
and sensory input
,Sympathetic Nervous System secondary within the ANS- when activated increases
breathing, heart rate, etc.
Parasymphathetic Nervous System Secondary within the ANS- when activated decreases
breathing, heart rate, etc.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters Dopamine, serotonin, GABA
Excitatory Neurotransmitters glutamate, epinephrine
Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotransmitters Acetylcoline, norepinephrine
Sterotypy common with stimulants: repeating the same behavior over and over again
*How long does alcohol detox take?* Five days or less
Sedative-hypnotics substances used to alleviate anxiety and to induce sleep
Potentiation substances taken together work synergistically to produce an effect greater
than expected due to the interaction
Examples of short-term CNS Depressant Physiological effects slurred speech, drowsiness,
dizziness, staggering gait, impaired coordination, etc
Examples of short-term CNS Depressant Psychological effects loss of memory, decreased
fear, confusion, irritability, euphoria, inappropriate, obnoxious behavior, sorrow, etc
Alcohol proof twice the percentage of alcohol by concentration
, Fermentation proof (concentration of ethyl alcohol) 12% or 24 proof
Distillation proof 95% or 190 proof
Blood alcohol level/concentration amount of alcohol in the blood
legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) .08
.10 level of BAC to drive in a few states
Examples of short-term physiological effects of Alcohol slurred speech, staggering, elevated
heartbeat, etc
Examples of short-term psychological effect of Alcohol delusions, loss of memory, loss of
control, irritability, euphoria, paranoia, decreased inhibition, etc
Early Stage Alcohol Dependence escaping from social situations and sneaking, feelings of
guilt, difficulty stopping once begun, and preoccupation with drinking
Middle Stage Alcohol Dependence loss of control over drinking behavior, impaired social
relationships, changes in drinking patterns, temporary sobriety, morning drinking, and neglect
of needs
Late Stage Alcohol Dependence Drink to function.
Pharmacotherapy Medication used to treat psychoactive substance use disorders
