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

What type of barbiturate is characterized by a high potential for abuse?

1. Long-acting

2. Short-acting

3. Medium-acting

4. Ultra-short-acting

The correct answer is: Short-acting

Short-acting barbiturates are recognized for their high potential for abuse due to their rapid onset and duration of action. These substances primarily work as central nervous system depressants, leading to effects such as sedation and euphoria, which can contribute to a strong desire to misuse them. People may misuse short-acting barbiturates for their quick and intense effects, often seeking to replicate the pleasurable sensations they can induce. In contrast, long-acting barbiturates do not have the same immediate effects and therefore tend to have a lower abuse potential. They are typically used for conditions requiring prolonged sedation or seizure control, which does not elicit the same pattern of misuse. Medium-acting and ultra-short-acting barbiturates also serve specific medical purposes, but short-acting barbiturates remain particularly infamous in contexts related to substance abuse due to their accessibility and the experience they provide to users. This combination of factors solidifies the short-acting variants' designation as having the highest potential for abuse among barbiturate classifications.