ADDICTION COUNSELOR EXAM |2026/2027 LATEST VERSION
WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE DETAILED
ANSWERS | GRADED A+
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
In the practice of addictions counseling, the systematic approach to the screening and assessment
process in which the counselor identifies and evaluates the individual's presenting issues and
identifies his/or her treatment and referral needs is known as:
a. Clinical evaluation
b. Clinical review
c. Treatment planning
d. Clinical process -
WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE DETAILED
ANSWERS | GRADED A+
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
In the practice of addictions counseling, the systematic approach to the screening and assessment
process in which the counselor identifies and evaluates the individual's presenting issues and
identifies his/or her treatment and referral needs is known as:
a. Clinical evaluation
b. Clinical review
c. Treatment planning
d. Clinical process -
