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

Which therapy is aimed at reducing the pleasurable effects of an abused drug?

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2. Interference Therapy

3. Exposure Therapy

4. Aversion Therapy

The correct answer is: Interference Therapy

The therapy that is specifically aimed at reducing the pleasurable effects of an abused drug is aversion therapy. This type of therapy works by using negative stimuli or consequences to create an aversive response to the substance. The goal is to condition the individual to associate the drug use with unpleasant feelings, which can lead to a decrease in the desire to consume the substance due to its now associated negative effects. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses more on changing thought patterns and behaviors related to addiction rather than directly reducing pleasurable effects. Exposure therapy is typically used for anxiety disorders and aims to desensitize individuals to their triggers; while it can be a part of addiction treatment, it does not specifically reduce the pleasurable effects of a substance. Interference therapy, while a term that might be used in various contexts, does not refer to a specific therapeutic approach in the context of substance abuse treatment. Aversion therapy is the clear choice in terms of its purpose of reducing the pleasurable aspects of drug use through negative reinforcement.