CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug
Counselor) Exam COMPLETE SOLUTION
2025/2026 Edition | Verified Questions and
100% Correct Answers | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT
Question 1
A client presents for an initial screening. Which of the following best describes the
primary goal of this process?
A. To diagnose a substance use disorder using the DSM-5 criteria.
B. To determine the client's motivation for change.
C. To identify if a client has a substance use problem and requires a
comprehensive assessment.
D. To create a detailed treatment plan.
Answer: C. TO IDENTIFY IF A CLIENT HAS A SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEM AND
REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
Rationale: Screening is a brief process to determine the likelihood that a person
has a substance use disorder. A positive screening result indicates the need for a
more in-depth, comprehensive assessment. A diagnostic assessment is a separate,
more detailed process that follows screening.
Question 2
According to the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria, which
of the following is NOT one of the six dimensions used in a multidimensional
assessment?
, A. Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential
B. Readiness to Change
C. Biopsychosocial History and Concerns
D. Relapse, Continued Use, or Continued Problem Potential
Answer: B. READINESS TO CHANGE
Rationale: The ASAM criteria are used to assess a client's condition across six
dimensions to determine the appropriate level of care. Dimension 2 is "Biomedical
Conditions and Complications"; "Readiness to Change" is a separate motivational
construct.
Question 3
A client discloses a history of trauma during the assessment phase. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response from the counselor?
A. "We are here to address your substance use; we can discuss that later."
B. Acknowledge the disclosure, maintain a non-judgmental stance, and validate
the client's experience.
C. Immediately refer the client to a specialist for trauma therapy.
D. Ask the client to provide a detailed account of the traumatic event.
Answer: B. ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISCLOSURE, MAINTAIN A NON-JUDGMENTAL
STANCE, AND VALIDATE THE CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE
Rationale: It is essential to create a safe environment. The counselor should
validate the client's feelings and build rapport. While trauma-focused therapy may
be needed later, detailed exploration is outside the scope of an initial substance
use assessment and could be retraumatizing.
Question 4
Which of the following is a key component of a comprehensive biopsychosocial
assessment?
Counselor) Exam COMPLETE SOLUTION
2025/2026 Edition | Verified Questions and
100% Correct Answers | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT
Question 1
A client presents for an initial screening. Which of the following best describes the
primary goal of this process?
A. To diagnose a substance use disorder using the DSM-5 criteria.
B. To determine the client's motivation for change.
C. To identify if a client has a substance use problem and requires a
comprehensive assessment.
D. To create a detailed treatment plan.
Answer: C. TO IDENTIFY IF A CLIENT HAS A SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEM AND
REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
Rationale: Screening is a brief process to determine the likelihood that a person
has a substance use disorder. A positive screening result indicates the need for a
more in-depth, comprehensive assessment. A diagnostic assessment is a separate,
more detailed process that follows screening.
Question 2
According to the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria, which
of the following is NOT one of the six dimensions used in a multidimensional
assessment?
, A. Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential
B. Readiness to Change
C. Biopsychosocial History and Concerns
D. Relapse, Continued Use, or Continued Problem Potential
Answer: B. READINESS TO CHANGE
Rationale: The ASAM criteria are used to assess a client's condition across six
dimensions to determine the appropriate level of care. Dimension 2 is "Biomedical
Conditions and Complications"; "Readiness to Change" is a separate motivational
construct.
Question 3
A client discloses a history of trauma during the assessment phase. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response from the counselor?
A. "We are here to address your substance use; we can discuss that later."
B. Acknowledge the disclosure, maintain a non-judgmental stance, and validate
the client's experience.
C. Immediately refer the client to a specialist for trauma therapy.
D. Ask the client to provide a detailed account of the traumatic event.
Answer: B. ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISCLOSURE, MAINTAIN A NON-JUDGMENTAL
STANCE, AND VALIDATE THE CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE
Rationale: It is essential to create a safe environment. The counselor should
validate the client's feelings and build rapport. While trauma-focused therapy may
be needed later, detailed exploration is outside the scope of an initial substance
use assessment and could be retraumatizing.
Question 4
Which of the following is a key component of a comprehensive biopsychosocial
assessment?
