A person meets five of the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder. How is the severity classed?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), e) Diagnosis (DSM-5)
A person needs larger and larger amounts of a drug to produce the same high. What is this effect called?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drugs and the Brain. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), a) Terminology
By scientists' estimate, about how much of a person's risk of addiction do genes account for?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drug Misuse and Addiction. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), b) Theories and models of abuse and dependence
How does the National Institute on Drug Abuse define addiction?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drug Misuse and Addiction. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), a) Terminology
What does physical dependence on a drug mean?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Opiate and opioid withdrawal. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), a) Terminology
Why does the National Institute on Drug Abuse call addiction a brain disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drug Misuse and Addiction. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, I. Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%), b) Theories and models of abuse and dependence
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Classification of drugs 2
In which DEA schedule is cocaine placed?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, II. Classification of Drugs (4%), a) DEA schedule
Under the Controlled Substances Act, which finding places a drug in Schedule I rather than Schedule II?Legal Information Institute, 21 U.S.C. 812, Schedules of controlled substances. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, II. Classification of Drugs (4%), a) DEA schedule
Pharmacology and the nervous system 3
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, why can drugs such as marijuana and heroin attach onto neurons and activate them?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drugs and the Brain. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, III. Pharmacological and Neurophysiological Principles (6%), a) Nervous system
How does cocaine act on dopamine signaling?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cocaine. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, III. Pharmacological and Neurophysiological Principles (6%), b) Method of actions
Which routes of administration carry a drug to the brain within seconds and so raise its addictive potential?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: Drug Misuse and Addiction. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, III. Pharmacological and Neurophysiological Principles (6%), b) Method of actions (routes of administration)
Alcohol 6
A woman and a man of the same weight drink the same amount of alcohol. Why does the woman's blood alcohol concentration tend to be higher?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Women and Alcohol. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), b) Determinants of blood alcohol level
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern that brings blood alcohol concentration to what level or higher?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Binge Drinking. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), c) Effects
Three medications are approved to treat alcohol use disorder. Which one eases the negative symptoms sometimes felt during abstinence, making abstinence easier to maintain?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), g) Awareness, treatment and intervention
What does the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism say about a safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), c) Effects (prenatal)
What is delirium tremens?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Delirium tremens. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), e) Tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose
Which of these is one U.S. standard drink?National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, What Is A Standard Drink?. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IV. Alcohol (13%), a) History and types
Anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives and hypnotics 3
How do benzodiazepines calm or sedate a person?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Benzodiazepines and Opioids. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, V. Anti-Anxiety, Sedative, and Hypnotics (6%), b) Effects
Why are benzodiazepines usually prescribed for short periods and then tapered slowly?National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Medications. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, V. Anti-Anxiety, Sedative, and Hypnotics (6%), e) Dependency issues
Why does taking an opioid together with a benzodiazepine raise the risk of a fatal overdose?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Benzodiazepines and Opioids. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, V. Anti-Anxiety, Sedative, and Hypnotics (6%), d) Tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose
Inhalants 3
How do nitrites differ from most other inhalants?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Inhalants. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VI. Inhalants (6%), b) Effects
Which group most commonly uses inhalants?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Inhalants. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VI. Inhalants (6%), c) Uses
Which list gives the four general categories of inhalants?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Inhalants. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VI. Inhalants (6%), a) History and types
Tobacco and nicotine 5
How does an e-cigarette or vape deliver nicotine?Food and Drug Administration, E-Cigarettes, Vapes, and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VII. Tobacco and Nicotine (10%), g) Current trends
Legislation signed on December 20, 2019 raised the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to what age?Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco 21. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VII. Tobacco and Nicotine (10%), a) History and types
What does the FDA say nicotine exposure during adolescence can do?Food and Drug Administration, Nicotine Is Why Tobacco Products Are Addictive. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VII. Tobacco and Nicotine (10%), b) Effects
What is the goal of nicotine replacement therapy?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Nicotine replacement therapy. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VII. Tobacco and Nicotine (10%), f) Awareness, treatment and intervention
Which chemical in tobacco products makes them addictive?Food and Drug Administration, Nicotine Is Why Tobacco Products Are Addictive. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VII. Tobacco and Nicotine (10%), e) Dependency issues
Psychomotor stimulants 3
Cocaine is made from the leaves of which plant?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cocaine. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VIII. Psychomotor Stimulants (6%), a) History and types
For which condition has the FDA approved methamphetamine as a treatment?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Methamphetamine. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VIII. Psychomotor Stimulants (6%), c) Uses and administration
Which statement about caffeine matches MedlinePlus?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Caffeine. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, VIII. Psychomotor Stimulants (6%), a) History and types (including caffeine and xanthines)
Opioids 5
Fentanyl is classed as a synthetic opioid. What does synthetic mean here?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Opioids. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IX. Opioids (10%), a) History and types
How does methadone help a person with opioid use disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IX. Opioids (10%), f) Awareness, treatment and intervention
What does MedlinePlus say about the symptoms of opioid withdrawal?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Opiate and opioid withdrawal. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IX. Opioids (10%), d) Tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose
Which medication for opioid use disorder works solely by blocking opioid receptors?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IX. Opioids (10%), f) Awareness, treatment and intervention
Why can a high dose of an opioid be fatal?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Opioids. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, IX. Opioids (10%), d) Tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose
Cannabinoids 4
According to NIDA, what is the strongest predictor of cannabis use disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cannabis (Marijuana). Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, X. Cannabinoids (8%), e) Dependency issues
What are synthetic cannabinoids?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Synthetic Cannabinoids. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, X. Cannabinoids (8%), g) Current trends
What is hemp?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cannabis (Marijuana). Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, X. Cannabinoids (8%), a) History and types
Which compound in the cannabis plant has the intoxicating, mind-altering effects?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Cannabis (Marijuana). Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, X. Cannabinoids (8%), a) History and types
Hallucinogens 4
The FDA has approved esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, for which use?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XI. Hallucinogens (7%), c) Uses and administration (therapeutic use)
Ketamine and PCP are dissociative drugs. Which brain chemical do they primarily affect?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XI. Hallucinogens (7%), a) History and types
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD act mainly on receptors for which neurotransmitter?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XI. Hallucinogens (7%), b) Effects
What marks hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XI. Hallucinogens (7%), b) Effects (chronic)
Other drugs of abuse 2
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to which hormone?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XII. Other Drugs of Abuse (4%), a) Anabolic steroids
Dextromethorphan (DXM), an over-the-counter drug that is sometimes misused, is sold for what purpose?National Institute on Drug Abuse, Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XII. Other Drugs of Abuse (4%), b) Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
Antipsychotic drugs 2
Long-term use of typical (first-generation) antipsychotics may lead to tardive dyskinesia. What is it?National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Medications. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XIII. Antipsychotic Drugs (3%), b) Effects (side effects and adverse reactions)
What are antipsychotic medications typically used to treat?National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Medications. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XIII. Antipsychotic Drugs (3%), c) Uses and administration
Antidepressants and mood stabilizers 2
In which group does the National Institute of Mental Health note a possible increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants?National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Medications. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XIV. Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers (4%), b) Effects (suicidal behaviors)
What is lithium prescribed to treat?MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Lithium. Written to the DSST Substance Abuse outline, XIV. Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers (4%), c) Uses and administration
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam content outline in the DSST fact sheet for Substance Abuse (Prometric, Rev 6/2024, https://getcollegecredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Substance-Abuse-Fact-Sheet-1.pdf, read 2026-10-08): fourteen content areas, from Overview of Substance Abuse and Dependence (13%) and Alcohol (13%) down to Antipsychotic Drugs (3%). This bank holds 50 in the same shares: 6, 2, 3, 6, 3, 3, 5, 3, 5, 4, 4, 2, 2 and 2. Every health fact was read on the public page named under its question, each opened 2026-10-08: the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute of Mental Health, MedlinePlus, the Food and Drug Administration and 21 U.S.C. 812 at the Legal Information Institute. A fact no public page confirmed was left out. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This DSST Substance Abuse practice test follows the fact sheet's 14 content areas. Practice for an exam, not medical advice. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Prometric, the company that owns the DSST exams.
Read the full guide
How the 14 areas are weighted
On the fact sheet (Rev 6/2024) the overview of abuse and dependence and alcohol are 13% each, tobacco and nicotine and opioids 10% each, cannabinoids 8% and hallucinogens 7%. Antipsychotic drugs is the smallest at 3%. The bank follows those shares.
Length and timing
The exam itself is 100 questions in 2 hours, so Exam mode allows 60 minutes for the 50 here.
Sources for every health fact
Each fact was read on the page linked under its question: the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIAAA, the National Institute of Mental Health, MedlinePlus, the FDA and the Controlled Substances Act.
The exam was formerly titled Drug and Alcohol Abuse, so older study material carries that name.
Questions and answers
What does the DSST Substance Abuse exam cover?
Terms, theories and diagnosis; DEA schedules; how drugs act on the nervous system; then one area each for alcohol, sedatives, inhalants, tobacco, stimulants, opioids, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, other drugs such as steroids, antipsychotics, and antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
Is there a DSST Substance Abuse study guide?
Prometric's fact sheet is the free one, with the content outline and three reference textbooks. On this page every explanation names the public page its fact was read on, which gives each missed question a place to start reading.
What score do you need on the DSST Substance Abuse exam?
Credit is recommended by the American Council on Education at a score of 400: 3 semester hours at the lower baccalaureate level. Schools set their own policies, so check with yours.
Are these questions medical advice or real exam items?
Neither. They are study questions written for this site, each asking what a named public source states. None is copied or reworded from a real exam. For a health decision, your own or someone else's, ask a licensed clinician.