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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Exam with comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with detailed explanations and hints. Get ready for your NCAC I certification!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What can chronic use of MDMA lead to in terms of neurotransmitter receptors?

Upregulation of serotonin receptors
Downregulation of serotonin receptors
Blocking dopamine receptors
Stimulation of norepinephrine receptors

The correct answer is: Downregulation of serotonin receptors

Chronic use of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly known as ecstasy, is characterized by its impact on neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin. MDMA primarily increases the release of serotonin, which leads to heightened mood and feelings of euphoria during use. However, with repeated and prolonged use, the body may respond by downregulating serotonin receptors. This means that the number of serotonin receptors decreases as a compensatory mechanism due to the overstimulation caused by the drug. This downregulation can result in altered brain chemistry and may contribute to various negative effects, such as mood disorders and cognitive impairments, particularly when the drug is no longer in the system. The body’s effort to maintain homeostasis in the neurochemical environment is crucial for understanding the consequences of chronic substance use, and in the case of MDMA, it specifically involves adaptations in the serotonin system. Therefore, the effect of chronic MDMA use leading to the downregulation of serotonin receptors is a significant consideration in addiction counseling and treatment.