National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which term refers to the use of medication to treat psychoactive substance use disorders?

1. Detoxification

2. Pharmacotherapy

3. Rehabilitation

4. Intervention

The correct answer is: Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacotherapy specifically refers to the use of medications in treating psychoactive substance use disorders. This approach can involve the use of various medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, or maintain recovery by preventing relapse. Medications might include methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, or naltrexone for alcohol use disorder, for instance. Detoxification pertains to the process of safely managing the withdrawal symptoms that occur when an individual stops using a substance, but it does not involve the ongoing use of medications to manage the disorder itself. Rehabilitation focuses on the comprehensive treatment process, which may include therapy and support services, while intervention usually relates to the strategies employed to persuade an individual to seek treatment, rather than a specific method of treatment like pharmacotherapy. Understanding pharmacotherapy is essential for effective intervention in substance use disorders.