National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

How many drug schedules are established by the DEA?

1. 3

2. 4

3. 5

4. 6

The correct answer is: 5

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has established five schedules of controlled substances. These schedules classify drugs based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use in treatment, and accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The first schedule, Schedule I, includes drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, such as heroin and LSD. Conversely, Schedule V drugs, like certain formulations of cough medications containing less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters, have a lower potential for abuse and accepted medical uses. Understanding the distinction between these schedules is vital for addiction counseling because it influences treatment plans and the legal implications of prescribing specific substances.