ASAM EXAM - Essentials of Addiction Medicine
Review Guide (VERSION A & B) Most Recent
2026 Questions and Correct Detailed Answers
Already Graded A+
Which of the following accurately describes a key essence of addiction?
A. Addiction is a moral failure.
B. Addiction is a developmental disorder.
C. Addiction is untreatable and can only be managed.
D. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER-Addiction is a developmental
disorder.
Which of the following is the most accurate and least stigmatizing term to refer to
illicit drugs found in a urine test of a person with addiction?
A. Dirty
B. Not clean
C. Detected, positive
D. Altered - CORRECT ANSWER-Detected, positive
,Which of the following key brain structures mediates negative emotional states
that are associated with abstinence from excessive drug use?
A. Extended amygdala
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Extended amygdala
Which of the following key brain structures mediates the reward, incentive
salience, and habit components of the binge/intoxication stage of the addiction
cycle?
A. Basal ganglia
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Basal Ganglia
The dysfunction of which area of the brain is associated with impulsive and
compulsive drug use?
A. Cerebellum
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
,D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Frontal cortex
Which of the following neurotransmitter systems mediates hormonal,
sympathetic, and behavioral responses to stressors?
A. Endorphin
B. Corticotropin-releasing factor
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin - CORRECT ANSWER-Corticotropin-releasing factor
Which of the following accurately describes a heuristic neurobiological framework
of the stages of the addiction cycle that guides the diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of substance use disorders?
A. Binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, preoccupation/anticipation
B. Binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, wanting/liking sensitization
C. Sensitization/incentive salience, withdrawal/negative affect,
preoccupation/anticipation
D. Impulsive, compulsive, craving - CORRECT ANSWER-Binge/intoxication,
withdrawal/negative affect, preoccupation/anticipation
, Which term is the most accurate and least stigmatizing to refer to people who use
substances, have a loss of control over use, and have tolerance and withdrawal
symptoms?
A. Substance abuser
B. Problem substance user
C. Addict
D. Person with a substance use disorder - CORRECT ANSWER-Person with a
substance use disorder
A patient imbibes six alcoholic drinks on an occasion twice a week. She has no
health conditions related to drinking; no loss of control; is not spending a great
deal of time procuring, using, or recovering from the effects of drinking; has no
withdrawal; and has no other criteria of a disorder except tolerance. The most
accurate term to refer to this condition is:
A. hazardous use.
B. problem use.
C. addiction.
D. substance use disorder. - CORRECT ANSWER-hazardous use.
Prevalence is:
Review Guide (VERSION A & B) Most Recent
2026 Questions and Correct Detailed Answers
Already Graded A+
Which of the following accurately describes a key essence of addiction?
A. Addiction is a moral failure.
B. Addiction is a developmental disorder.
C. Addiction is untreatable and can only be managed.
D. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER-Addiction is a developmental
disorder.
Which of the following is the most accurate and least stigmatizing term to refer to
illicit drugs found in a urine test of a person with addiction?
A. Dirty
B. Not clean
C. Detected, positive
D. Altered - CORRECT ANSWER-Detected, positive
,Which of the following key brain structures mediates negative emotional states
that are associated with abstinence from excessive drug use?
A. Extended amygdala
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Extended amygdala
Which of the following key brain structures mediates the reward, incentive
salience, and habit components of the binge/intoxication stage of the addiction
cycle?
A. Basal ganglia
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Basal Ganglia
The dysfunction of which area of the brain is associated with impulsive and
compulsive drug use?
A. Cerebellum
B. Hypothalamus
C. Frontal cortex
,D. Hippocampus - CORRECT ANSWER-Frontal cortex
Which of the following neurotransmitter systems mediates hormonal,
sympathetic, and behavioral responses to stressors?
A. Endorphin
B. Corticotropin-releasing factor
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin - CORRECT ANSWER-Corticotropin-releasing factor
Which of the following accurately describes a heuristic neurobiological framework
of the stages of the addiction cycle that guides the diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of substance use disorders?
A. Binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, preoccupation/anticipation
B. Binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, wanting/liking sensitization
C. Sensitization/incentive salience, withdrawal/negative affect,
preoccupation/anticipation
D. Impulsive, compulsive, craving - CORRECT ANSWER-Binge/intoxication,
withdrawal/negative affect, preoccupation/anticipation
, Which term is the most accurate and least stigmatizing to refer to people who use
substances, have a loss of control over use, and have tolerance and withdrawal
symptoms?
A. Substance abuser
B. Problem substance user
C. Addict
D. Person with a substance use disorder - CORRECT ANSWER-Person with a
substance use disorder
A patient imbibes six alcoholic drinks on an occasion twice a week. She has no
health conditions related to drinking; no loss of control; is not spending a great
deal of time procuring, using, or recovering from the effects of drinking; has no
withdrawal; and has no other criteria of a disorder except tolerance. The most
accurate term to refer to this condition is:
A. hazardous use.
B. problem use.
C. addiction.
D. substance use disorder. - CORRECT ANSWER-hazardous use.
Prevalence is:
