Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Practice Exam 2026 - Free AODA Practice Questions and Study Guide

A common characteristic of substance use disorders is craving and compulsive use despite negative consequences. This pattern of behavior is central to the diagnosis of substance use disorders. Individuals may have a strong, often uncontrollable urge to consume a substance, even when it leads to negative impacts on their personal life, health, or social responsibilities. This craving can override their ability to make rational decisions about their use, leading them to continue using the substance despite knowing the harm it causes.

This compulsive behavior reflects the changes in the brain's reward system that occur with prolonged substance use, reinforcing the cycle of addiction. The inability to control use, driven by cravings and the psychological compulsion to seek substances, often results in a detrimental impact on various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and overall well-being.

The other options highlight misunderstandings about substance use disorders. For example, decreased tolerance is typically associated with the development of a disorder, not a characteristic of all individuals who have one. Enjoying all activities without substances suggests a healthy coping mechanism, contrary to the essence of substance use disorders. Additionally, having easy control over substance use contradicts the compulsive nature that defines these disorders.