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

Which of the following schedules has no accepted medical uses and leads to severe physical dependence?

1. Schedule II

2. Schedule III

3. Schedule I

4. Schedule V

The correct answer is: Schedule I

The correct answer is Schedule I. This classification is assigned to substances that not only have a high potential for abuse but also lack accepted medical uses. As a result, these substances are often considered to pose significant risks both legally and in terms of physical health. Because they do not have any approved medical applications, there is no legal framework for their prescription or legitimate use in medical settings, which further emphasizes the danger associated with their misuse. Drugs in this category, such as heroin and marijuana (at the federal level), are known to lead to severe physical dependence and significant negative health outcomes. In contrast, other schedules such as Schedule II, Schedule III, and Schedule V contain substances that do have accepted medical uses, albeit with varying levels of potential for abuse and physical dependence. These schedules are structured to allow for some degree of medical application while implementing controls to mitigate risks associated with misuse.