Transcript NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR ADDICTION …

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION FOR ADDICTION
COUNSELORS
A Test Preparation Course
Taken from the Handbook for
Candidates
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Handbook for candidates

http://ptcny.com/PDF/NCC2005_6.pdf
download the handbook for free
 www.naadac.org
the test used for the LADAC is the NCAC I, managed
by the National Association for Addiction Professionals
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CONTENT OF EXAMINATION
Written examination composed of
up to 250 multiple choice,
objective questions with a total
testing time of four (4) hours.
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Exam will cover four areas and will be
weighted in approximately the following
manner:
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I. Pharmacology of Psychoactive
Substances
II. Counseling Practice
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30%
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40%
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15%
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15%
III. Theoretical Base of Counseling
IV. Professional Issues
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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.
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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.
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Definitions of Pharmacology
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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!
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Psychoactive Pharmacopia
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Drugs that affect the mind and the mood,
as well as other body systems.
May be those that produce withdrawal
symptoms
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Pharmacology Content Areas
Chemical Interactions
 Physiological Effects
 Psychological Effects
 Terminology
 Treatment Applications
 Withdrawal Syndromes
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Chemical Interactions
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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
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Physiological Effects
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The immediate (short term/acute) biochemical and physical effects (including
behaviors)
The chronic (long term) effects
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Psychological Effects
How psychoactive chemicals
affect and alter perception and
judgment
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Terminology
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Chemical names of psychoactive
substances
Trade/Brand names
Street names
Categories of drugs
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Treatment Applications
(Pharmacotherapy)
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Medications used for detoxification
Medications used for stabilization and
maintenance
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Withdrawal Syndromes
The rebound effects of the
psychoactive chemicals
physiologically and
psychologically
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Drug Classification
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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
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Drug Classification
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3. Psychotropics (Major Tranquilizers)
• b. Physiological Effects
• c. Psychological Effects
• d. Withdrawal Syndrome
• e. Drug Interactions
• f. Treatment Applications
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Drug Classification
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4.
Cocaine
• a. Terminology
• b. Physiological Effects
• c. Psychological Effects
• d. Withdrawal Syndrome
• e. Drug Interactions
• f. Treatment Applications
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Drug Classifications
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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
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Drug Classification
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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
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Drug Classifications
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6. Hallucinogens
• a. Terminology
• 1) Natural Derivatives
• 2) Synthetics
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3) Antagonists
• b. Physiological Effects
• c. Psychological Effects
• d. Withdrawal Syndrome
• e. Drug Interactions
• f. Treatment Applications
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Drug Classification
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7. Cannabinoids
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8. Other
• a. Terminology
• b. Physiological Effects
• c. Psychological Effects
• d. Withdrawal Syndrome
• e. Drug Interactions
• f. Treatment Applications
• a. Inhalants
• b. Designer Drugs
• c. Steroids
• d. OTC Drugs
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The Addiction Process
The Disease Model
• Tolerance Mechanisms
• Detoxification
• Stages of Addiction
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The Addiction Process
The Recovery Process
• 1. Medical Stabilization
• 2. Non-Pharmaceutical Treatment
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Applications
3. Unsafe Medication in Recovery
4. Safe Medication in Recovery
5. Dual Disorders
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