Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What is the role of antagonists in pharmacotherapy?

1. To enhance the effects of psychoactive drugs

2. To block the effects of certain drugs and prevent overdose

3. To have no interaction with other substances

4. To promote the recreational use of drugs

The correct answer is: To block the effects of certain drugs and prevent overdose

The role of antagonists in pharmacotherapy is primarily to block the effects of certain drugs, particularly in situations such as overdose. Antagonists work by binding to receptors in the brain and preventing agonists (substances that activate receptors) from exerting their effects. This mechanism is crucial in the context of overdose management, as antagonists can reverse the life-threatening impacts of potent substances, such as opioids. For example, naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, restoring normal breathing and preventing death. In contrast, other options present ideas that do not accurately describe the function of antagonists. Enhancing the effects of psychoactive drugs or promoting recreational use does not align with the primary goal of antagonists, which is to inhibit or negate drug effects. Additionally, the notion that antagonists have no interaction with other substances is misleading, as their entire role is predicated on their ability to interact with and block the effects of specific drugs. Thus, option B accurately captures the essential function of antagonists in pharmacotherapy.