CAADC PRACTICE EXAM (2026 UPDATED
CONTENT)COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONELS
DOMAIN 1: CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
1. A client presents with a history of heavy alcohol use. During the
assessment, the client reports having "a few drinks" daily but
minimizes the quantity. Which of the following assessment tools
would provide the MOST objective measure of the client's recent
alcohol consumption?
A. CAGE Questionnaire
B. Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)
C. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) test
D. Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A BAC test provides an objective, biological measure of
recent alcohol ingestion. The CAGE and MAST are self-report
screening tools subject to minimization. The SASSI is a self-report
tool designed to identify substance use disorders, but it is not a
measure of current consumption levels.
,2. A client in early recovery is diagnosed with both Major
Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder. Which of the
following describes the relationship between these two diagnoses?
A. Dual Diagnosis
B. Co-occurring Disorders
C. Cross-Tolerance
D. Polysubstance Dependence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders refer to the presence of one or
more mental health disorders alongside a substance use disorder. Dual
Diagnosis is an older term that is often used interchangeably, but "Co-
occurring Disorders" is the preferred clinical terminology.
3. During a biopsychosocial assessment, a client states, "I only use
marijuana to help me sleep." This statement is an example of:
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Intellectualization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating a logical, or seemingly
logical, justification for a behavior that is otherwise unacceptable. The
client is attempting to justify marijuana use by framing it as a
necessary medical aid for sleep.
,4. When assessing a client's readiness for change, the counselor
asks, "On a scale of 1-10, how important is it for you to stop
using?" and "How confident are you that you can stop?" These
questions are central to which of the following?
A. Stages of Change Model
B. Motivational Interviewing
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
D. The Matrix Model
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These scaling questions (Importance and Confidence rulers)
are core techniques in Motivational Interviewing (MI) used to assess
and elicit a client's motivation and self-efficacy for change. While
related to the Stages of Change, the specific ruler technique is a
hallmark of MI.
5. A client is asked to "Tell me about your typical day" during an
assessment. This is an example of a(n):
A. Closed-ended question
B. Open-ended question
C. Leading question
D. Confrontational question
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended question encourages a detailed, narrative
response rather than a simple "yes" or "no." It invites the client to
provide a comprehensive overview of their daily life, which is valuable
for assessment.
, 6. The ASAM Criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine) is
primarily used to:
A. Diagnose the severity of substance use disorder.
B. Determine the appropriate level of care (e.g., detox, residential,
outpatient).
C. Screen for the presence of a substance use disorder.
D. Assess criminal risk in substance-abusing populations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ASAM Criteria is a comprehensive set of guidelines
used to assess a client's needs across six dimensions and match them
to the most appropriate level of care, from early intervention to
medically managed intensive inpatient services.
7. A client reports a family history of alcoholism. This is a
significant factor in assessment because it indicates a:
A. Psychological predisposition
B. Social predisposition
C. Biological/genetic predisposition
D. Environmental predisposition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Family history of substance use disorders is a major risk
factor, often rooted in genetic and biological vulnerabilities. Studies on
heritability show a strong genetic component to alcohol use disorder.
CONTENT)COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONELS
DOMAIN 1: CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
1. A client presents with a history of heavy alcohol use. During the
assessment, the client reports having "a few drinks" daily but
minimizes the quantity. Which of the following assessment tools
would provide the MOST objective measure of the client's recent
alcohol consumption?
A. CAGE Questionnaire
B. Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)
C. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) test
D. Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A BAC test provides an objective, biological measure of
recent alcohol ingestion. The CAGE and MAST are self-report
screening tools subject to minimization. The SASSI is a self-report
tool designed to identify substance use disorders, but it is not a
measure of current consumption levels.
,2. A client in early recovery is diagnosed with both Major
Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder. Which of the
following describes the relationship between these two diagnoses?
A. Dual Diagnosis
B. Co-occurring Disorders
C. Cross-Tolerance
D. Polysubstance Dependence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders refer to the presence of one or
more mental health disorders alongside a substance use disorder. Dual
Diagnosis is an older term that is often used interchangeably, but "Co-
occurring Disorders" is the preferred clinical terminology.
3. During a biopsychosocial assessment, a client states, "I only use
marijuana to help me sleep." This statement is an example of:
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Intellectualization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating a logical, or seemingly
logical, justification for a behavior that is otherwise unacceptable. The
client is attempting to justify marijuana use by framing it as a
necessary medical aid for sleep.
,4. When assessing a client's readiness for change, the counselor
asks, "On a scale of 1-10, how important is it for you to stop
using?" and "How confident are you that you can stop?" These
questions are central to which of the following?
A. Stages of Change Model
B. Motivational Interviewing
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
D. The Matrix Model
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These scaling questions (Importance and Confidence rulers)
are core techniques in Motivational Interviewing (MI) used to assess
and elicit a client's motivation and self-efficacy for change. While
related to the Stages of Change, the specific ruler technique is a
hallmark of MI.
5. A client is asked to "Tell me about your typical day" during an
assessment. This is an example of a(n):
A. Closed-ended question
B. Open-ended question
C. Leading question
D. Confrontational question
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended question encourages a detailed, narrative
response rather than a simple "yes" or "no." It invites the client to
provide a comprehensive overview of their daily life, which is valuable
for assessment.
, 6. The ASAM Criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine) is
primarily used to:
A. Diagnose the severity of substance use disorder.
B. Determine the appropriate level of care (e.g., detox, residential,
outpatient).
C. Screen for the presence of a substance use disorder.
D. Assess criminal risk in substance-abusing populations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ASAM Criteria is a comprehensive set of guidelines
used to assess a client's needs across six dimensions and match them
to the most appropriate level of care, from early intervention to
medically managed intensive inpatient services.
7. A client reports a family history of alcoholism. This is a
significant factor in assessment because it indicates a:
A. Psychological predisposition
B. Social predisposition
C. Biological/genetic predisposition
D. Environmental predisposition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Family history of substance use disorders is a major risk
factor, often rooted in genetic and biological vulnerabilities. Studies on
heritability show a strong genetic component to alcohol use disorder.
