Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Which medication is used to relieve anxiety and may affect chemicals in the brain?

1. Miltown

2. Prozac

3. Zoloft

4. Wellbutrin

The correct answer is: Miltown

The medication known as Miltown, which is the brand name for meprobamate, is recognized for its use in relieving anxiety. It acts as a tranquilizer and affects various neurotransmitters in the brain, including those associated with anxiety responses. Miltown increases the availability of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, contributing to its calming effects. In contrast, Prozac and Zoloft are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used primarily to treat depression but are also effective for anxiety disorders by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Wellbutrin, on the other hand, is primarily used to treat depression and to help people quit smoking and works on the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine but is not typically prescribed to relieve anxiety directly. Therefore, Miltown is the choice that specifically aligns with the description of a medication used to relieve anxiety while affecting brain chemicals.