Mindful Continuing Education

Treating Adolescent Substance Abuse

1. Individuals are most likely to begin abusing drugs during adolescence and young adulthood probably because they are "biologically wired" to seek new experiences and take risks, as well as to carve out their own identity.

A. True B. False

2. Each of the following is an accurate statement about the teenage brain and its vulnerability to substance abuse EXCEPT:

A. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for assessing situations making sound decisions, is not yet fully developed B. The teenage brain is still developing and malleable, a property known as electroelasticity C. Teenagers are highly motivated to pursue pleasurable rewards and avoid pain, but their judgment and decision-making skills are still limited D. The underdeveloped brain affects their ability to weigh risks accurately and make sound decisions, including decisions about using drugs

3. Although most teens do not escalate from trying drugs to developing an addiction or other substance use disorder; even experimenting with drugs is a problem because it can be part of a pattern of risky behavior including unsafe sex, driving while intoxicated, or other hazardous, unsupervised activities.

A. True B. False

4. Different drugs affect the brain differently, but a common factor is that they all raise the level of the chemical epinephrine in brain circuits that control reward and pleasure.

A. True B. False

5. Certain traits that put a person at risk for drug use, such as __________________, manifest well before the first episode of drug use and may be addressed by prevention interventions during childhood.

A. Poor school performance B. Anxiety or depression C. Isolation and withdrawal D. Impulsivity or aggression

6. Since many addiction medications that are effective and widely prescribed for adults are now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adolescents, they can now be routinely combined with behavioral interventions in order to help young people.

A. True B. False

Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment

7. Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding the principles of substance abuse intervention and treatment for adolescents?

A. Adolescents can benefit from a drug abuse intervention even if they are not addicted to a drug B. While legal interventions, sanctions, or family pressure may play an important role in getting adolescents to enter treatment, these factors rarely impact the length of stay or treatment completion rates C. Substance use disorder treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of the young person and address the needs of the whole person, rather than just focusing on his or her drug use D. Effectively treating substance use disorders in adolescents requires also identifying and treating any other mental health conditions they may have

8. Adolescents recovering from substance use disorders may experience relapse, which likely signals the need for more treatment or a need to adjust the individual's current treatment plan to better meet his or her needs.

A. True B. False

Frequently Asked Questions- Most Commonly Abused Drugs

9. After alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, the most commonly abuse substance for adolescents is:

A. Synthetic marijuana B. Prescription painkillers C. Amphetamines D. Sedatives

Is It Possible For Teens to Become Addicted to Marijuana

10. Long-term marijuana users who try to quit report withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to stay off the drug.

A. True B. False

How Can Parents Participate in Their Adolescent Child's Treatment?

11. Family-based drug abuse treatment can help improve communication, problem-solving, and _____________ within the household.

A. Conflict resolution B. Stress management C. Social interaction D. Coping mechanisms

Treatment Settings-Outpatient/Intensive Outpatient

12. Outpatient treatment varies in the type and intensity of services offered, with low-or moderate-intensity outpatient care generally delivered two or three times a week for three hours a day, and intensive outpatient services at least four times a week with a minimum 4 hours per day.

A. True B. False

Evidence-Based Approaches to Treating Adolescent Substance Abuse

13. Most of evidence-based substance abuse treatments have been tested over short periods of 12-16 weeks, but for some adolescents, longer treatments may be warranted, depending on the specific situation.

A. True B. False

14. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of treatment using immediate and tangible reinforcements for positive behaviors to modify problem behaviors like substance abuse, which occurs with Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET).

A. True B. False

Family Based Approaches

15. Which of the following accurately describes family-based approaches to treat adolescent substance abuse?

A. Research conclusively shows that family-based treatments are highly efficacious and are superior to all other individual and group treatment approaches B. Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) combines behavioral contracting with contingency management to address not only substance abuse but other behavioral problems as well C. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a comprehensive family- and community-based treatment for substance- abusing adolescents and those at high risk for behavior problems such as conduct disorder and delinquency D. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive treatment that views the substance abuse in terms of characteristics of the adolescent, and those of his or her family, peers, school, or neighborhood

Addiction Medications-Opioid Use Disorders

16. Although buprenorphine even is not approved by the FDA for pediatric use, it is sometimes prescribed to older adolescents to treat opioid use disorders.

A. True B. False

Nicotine Use Disorders

17. Imipramine, commonly prescribed for depression, has been shown to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms in adult and adolescent smokers.

A. True B. False

Recovery Support Services

18. Peer recovery support services, such as recovery community centers, help individuals remain engaged in treatment and/or the recovery process by:

A. Linking them together both in groups and in one-on-one relationships with peer leaders who have direct experience with addiction and recovery B. Providing mentorship and coaching and helping to connect individuals to treatment, 12- step groups, or other resources when appropriate C. Helping recovering adolescents build alternative social networks and have drug- and alcohol-free social options D. All of the above


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