Continuing Education Quiz

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Medications for alcohol dependence treatment: Lessons from the literature

1. Acamprosate is believed to reduce negative symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal by blocking the effects of this neurotransmitter.

   a. Glutamate

   b. Dopamine

   c. Serotonin

2. A 2006 study by Mason and colleagues concluded that this factor had a positive influence on outcome in patients taking acamprosate.

   a. Participation in 12-Step therapy

   b. Higher-than-recommended dosing

   c. Motivation toward maintaining abstinence

3. The therapy offered in the COMBINE study included elements of 12-Step therapy, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and this form of therapy.

   a. Group counseling

   b. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

   c. Motivational enhancement

4. In all treatment groups in the COMBINE study, the percentage of nondrinking days increased to:

   a. 37%

   b. 56%

   c. 73%

5. The benefits of naltrexone treatment seen in the COMBINE study declined when:

   a. The drug was used in conjunction with other medications.

   b. Researchers looked at the period one year after treatment.

   c. Study subjects received cognitive-behavioral therapy.

6. This dose of extended-release naltrexone in conjunction with supportive therapy generated the most encouraging results in a 2005 study by Garbutt and colleagues.

   a. 190 mg

   b. 380 mg

   c. 570 mg

7. Around this percentage of patients in the Garbutt study discontinued use of injectable naltrexone because of injection site reactions.

   a. 1%

   b. 5%

   c. 7%

8. A recent study yielded this telling conclusion about individuals with the most severe drinking problems.

   a. They are the most amenable group to supportive counseling.

   b. They are least likely to exhibit problems with use of other substances.

   c. They are more ready for change than drinkers with less severe problems.

9. A meta-analysis of oral naltrexone studies found that the medication reduces the risk of relapse to heavy drinking by this amount compared with placebo.

   a. 18%

   b. 38%

   c. 58%

10. The Garbutt trial of extended-release naltrexone analyzed treatment over a period of:

    a. Six weeks.

    b. Three months.

    c. Six months.