1 NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR ADDICTION COUNSELORS A Test Preparation Course Taken from the Handbook for Candidates

2 Handbook for candidates download the handbook for free the test used for the LADAC is the NCAC I, managed by the National Association for Addiction Professionals

3 CONTENT OF EXAMINATION Written examination composed of up to 250 multiple choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours.

4 Exam will cover four areas and will be weighted in approximately the following manner: I. Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances II. Counseling Practice III. Theoretical Base of Counseling IV. Professional Issues 30% 40% 15%

5 Part I: PHARMACOLOGY OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES What do you need to know? The definition of pharmacology, and what it’s relationship is to addiction counseling The clinical signs, symptoms, and behaviors that may be indicative of psychoactive chemical use, abuse, and dependence The function of the nervous system and how psychoactive chemicals affect it.

6 Relationship to Addiction Counseling Addiction Counseling incorporates the findings of the field of pharmacology with a prescribed method of treatment. It guides a person to, and through, a program of recovery from the use of the psychoactive chemicals or from the experience of living with a person who abuses psychoactive chemicals.

7 Definitions of Pharmacology The study of actions and mechanisms of chemicals on living tissue The study of the effects of chemicals within a living system The branch of science that deals with the interaction of all chemicals that affect living organisms You only need to focus on the psychoactive chemicals!

8 Psychoactive Pharmacopia Drugs that affect the mind and the mood, as well as other body systems. May be those that produce withdrawal symptoms

9 Pharmacology Content Areas Chemical Interactions Physiological Effects Psychological Effects Terminology Treatment Applications Withdrawal Syndromes

10 Chemical Interactions Results of more than one chemical taken at a time When one chemical potentiates the actions of another When one chemical is used to produce an effect opposite to another

11 Physiological Effects The immediate (short term/acute) bio- chemical and physical effects (including behaviors) The chronic (long term) effects

12 Psychological Effects How psychoactive chemicals affect and alter perception and judgment

13 Terminology Chemical names of psychoactive substances Trade/Brand names Street names Categories of drugs

14 Treatment Applications (Pharmacotherapy) Medications used for detoxification Medications used for stabilization and maintenance

15 Withdrawal Syndromes The rebound effects of the psychoactive chemicals physiologically and psychologically

16 Drug Classification 1. Alcohol a. Terminology b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications 2. Depressants a. Terminology 1) Anti-Anxiety (Minor Tranquilizers) 2) Barbiturates 3) Sedative-Hypnotics

17 Drug Classification 3. Psychotropics (Major Tranquilizers) b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications

18 Drug Classification 4. Cocaine a. Terminology b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications

19 Drug Classifications 5. Other Stimulants a. Terminology 1) Amphetamines 2) Nicotine 3) Caffeine b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications

20 Drug Classification 5. Opiates a. Terminology 1) Natural Derivatives 2) Synthetics 3) Antagonists b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications

21 Drug Classifications 6. Hallucinogens a. Terminology 1) Natural Derivatives 2) Synthetics 3) Antagonists b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications

22 Drug Classification 7. Cannabinoids a. Terminology b. Physiological Effects c. Psychological Effects d. Withdrawal Syndrome e. Drug Interactions f. Treatment Applications 8. Other a. Inhalants b. Designer Drugs c. Steroids d. OTC Drugs

23 The Addiction Process The Disease Model Tolerance Mechanisms Detoxification Stages of Addiction

24 The Addiction Process The Recovery Process 1. Medical Stabilization 2. Non-Pharmaceutical Treatment Applications 3. Unsafe Medication in Recovery 4. Safe Medication in Recovery 5. Dual Disorders