Addiction Counselor Practice Exam
questions well answered passed
Principles of effective treatment include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Treatment needs to be readily available
b. Addiction is a consequence of personal choice
c. Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual
d. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone - correct answer ✔✔ B...we strive to make
treatment accessible and individualized
Garvey smokes methamphetamine several times per week. He lost access to his children last
year, and his family has all but disowned him. Garvey has tried to quit many times but loves the
high and finds the cravings too strong to overcome. He has been to prison for things he has
done to support his habit but always returns to using. Over time, tolerance has developed.
Garvey's presentation is consistent with:
a. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, mild
b. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, moderate
c. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, severe
d. Methamphetamine Intoxication - correct answer ✔✔ C...Garvey has the following symptoms
of a use disorder: unsuccessful efforts to stop use, cravings, using despite inability to fulfill
major roles (fatherhood), using despite persistent interpersonal issues (family discord and
separation), giving up social or other activities (prison), uses when it is hazardous to do so (DUI),
tolerance
Jose shares in group about the pain of his divorce, triggered by his spouse's affair with his
brother. Jose was left isolated from his family, feeling no support whatsoever. Other members
have similar stories, but Mark's spouse specifically had an affair with his brother,
leaving him feeling he had no support either. The group counselor says, "Mark, you shared your
wife is now dating your brother. I wonder if there is any part of Jose's story you relate
,to or that you would like to share about today." The group counselor has demonstrated:
a. Active listening
b. Summarizing
c. Blocking
d. Linking - correct answer ✔✔ D...Linking occurs when group leadership assists members in
recognizing their similarities. Blocking occurs when leadership prevents unfocused members
from being disruptive by redirecting or preventing them from monopolizing discussion.
Summarizing occurs when leaders assist members in raising awareness of what occurs and how
the group and membership have changed. Active listening is the leader's attention to language,
nonverbal and tone around an individual's message
Which statement best describes the role of drug testing in treatment?
a. It should be used to determine consequences a client receives
b. It is the least reliable way to determine current or recent drug use
c. It can replace the assessment process in diagnosing a substance use disorder
d. It is the most accurate way to determine current or recent drug use - correct answer ✔✔ D...
Chemical testing will tell the counselor the specific drugs recently used by the client, and it is
very reliable. However, only the professional can diagnose a substance use disorder
Katherine is a substance abuse counselor in an outpatient program. Her client, Donovan, is
dependent on heroin and told Katherine that he deals drugs to others to support his habit.
Which is the correct ethical choice for Katherine?
a. Legally and ethically, Katherine cannot divulge client information that was told to her in
confidence.
b. To fulfill her obligation to her community, Katherine must disclose Donovan's drug dealing to
law enforcement.
c. Katherine should tell the program's lawyer what Donovan is doing and let him advise her
about what she should do.
d. Katherine should decline to provide services to Donovan unless he agrees to stop drug
dealing. - correct answer ✔✔ A... Communications between the client and the counselor are
privileged, meaning that they cannot be disclosed to any other person without the client's
, consent. The exceptions to confidentiality involve suspected child or elder abuse, and threats of
harm to self or others.
The recommended level of care for a client is based on what?
a. DSM diagnosis
b. ASAM patient placement criteria
c. Client's drug of choice
d. Client's payor source - correct answer ✔✔ B...Illinois 2060 guidelines require that levels of
care follow ASAM criteria (section 2060.401)
When you ask a client if he has thoughts of killing himself, he changes the subject. What is the
best intervention?
a. confront the client about his rudeness
b. follow the client's lead and avoid the topic out of respect
c. continue to assess the client's suicide risk
d. go on to the next item on your assessment - correct answer ✔✔ C... Never be afraid to ask
about ideations, intention, plans, means
Renee smoked cigarettes for over 40 years but stopped smoking about 6 months ago. She
continues to have strong cravings but has managed to not give in to her urges and remains
abstinent. Renee's presentation is most consistent with:
a. Tobacco fixation
b. Tobacco use disorder, in early remission
c. Tobacco use disorder, in sustained remission
d. Tobacco withdrawal - correct answer ✔✔ B... Renee's presentation is most consistent with
Tobacco Use Disorder, in early remission, which is inclusive of a lack of symptoms, with the
possible exception of cravings
questions well answered passed
Principles of effective treatment include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Treatment needs to be readily available
b. Addiction is a consequence of personal choice
c. Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual
d. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone - correct answer ✔✔ B...we strive to make
treatment accessible and individualized
Garvey smokes methamphetamine several times per week. He lost access to his children last
year, and his family has all but disowned him. Garvey has tried to quit many times but loves the
high and finds the cravings too strong to overcome. He has been to prison for things he has
done to support his habit but always returns to using. Over time, tolerance has developed.
Garvey's presentation is consistent with:
a. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, mild
b. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, moderate
c. Methamphetamine Use Disorder, severe
d. Methamphetamine Intoxication - correct answer ✔✔ C...Garvey has the following symptoms
of a use disorder: unsuccessful efforts to stop use, cravings, using despite inability to fulfill
major roles (fatherhood), using despite persistent interpersonal issues (family discord and
separation), giving up social or other activities (prison), uses when it is hazardous to do so (DUI),
tolerance
Jose shares in group about the pain of his divorce, triggered by his spouse's affair with his
brother. Jose was left isolated from his family, feeling no support whatsoever. Other members
have similar stories, but Mark's spouse specifically had an affair with his brother,
leaving him feeling he had no support either. The group counselor says, "Mark, you shared your
wife is now dating your brother. I wonder if there is any part of Jose's story you relate
,to or that you would like to share about today." The group counselor has demonstrated:
a. Active listening
b. Summarizing
c. Blocking
d. Linking - correct answer ✔✔ D...Linking occurs when group leadership assists members in
recognizing their similarities. Blocking occurs when leadership prevents unfocused members
from being disruptive by redirecting or preventing them from monopolizing discussion.
Summarizing occurs when leaders assist members in raising awareness of what occurs and how
the group and membership have changed. Active listening is the leader's attention to language,
nonverbal and tone around an individual's message
Which statement best describes the role of drug testing in treatment?
a. It should be used to determine consequences a client receives
b. It is the least reliable way to determine current or recent drug use
c. It can replace the assessment process in diagnosing a substance use disorder
d. It is the most accurate way to determine current or recent drug use - correct answer ✔✔ D...
Chemical testing will tell the counselor the specific drugs recently used by the client, and it is
very reliable. However, only the professional can diagnose a substance use disorder
Katherine is a substance abuse counselor in an outpatient program. Her client, Donovan, is
dependent on heroin and told Katherine that he deals drugs to others to support his habit.
Which is the correct ethical choice for Katherine?
a. Legally and ethically, Katherine cannot divulge client information that was told to her in
confidence.
b. To fulfill her obligation to her community, Katherine must disclose Donovan's drug dealing to
law enforcement.
c. Katherine should tell the program's lawyer what Donovan is doing and let him advise her
about what she should do.
d. Katherine should decline to provide services to Donovan unless he agrees to stop drug
dealing. - correct answer ✔✔ A... Communications between the client and the counselor are
privileged, meaning that they cannot be disclosed to any other person without the client's
, consent. The exceptions to confidentiality involve suspected child or elder abuse, and threats of
harm to self or others.
The recommended level of care for a client is based on what?
a. DSM diagnosis
b. ASAM patient placement criteria
c. Client's drug of choice
d. Client's payor source - correct answer ✔✔ B...Illinois 2060 guidelines require that levels of
care follow ASAM criteria (section 2060.401)
When you ask a client if he has thoughts of killing himself, he changes the subject. What is the
best intervention?
a. confront the client about his rudeness
b. follow the client's lead and avoid the topic out of respect
c. continue to assess the client's suicide risk
d. go on to the next item on your assessment - correct answer ✔✔ C... Never be afraid to ask
about ideations, intention, plans, means
Renee smoked cigarettes for over 40 years but stopped smoking about 6 months ago. She
continues to have strong cravings but has managed to not give in to her urges and remains
abstinent. Renee's presentation is most consistent with:
a. Tobacco fixation
b. Tobacco use disorder, in early remission
c. Tobacco use disorder, in sustained remission
d. Tobacco withdrawal - correct answer ✔✔ B... Renee's presentation is most consistent with
Tobacco Use Disorder, in early remission, which is inclusive of a lack of symptoms, with the
possible exception of cravings
