12 Core Functions of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor practice exam questions with 100% correct answers 2024

Screening - 1 of 12 Core Functions The process by which the client is determined appropriate and eligible for admission to a particular program. Screening This function requires the counselor consider a variety of factors before deciding whether or not to admit the potential client for treatment. It is imperative that the counselor use appropriate diagnostic criteria to determine whether the applicant's alcohol or other drug use constitutes abuse. All counselors must be able to describe the criteria they use and demonstrate their competence by presenting specific examples of how the use of alcohol and other drugs has become dysfunctional for a particular client. The determination of a particular client's appropriateness for a program requires the counselor's judgment and skill and is influenced by the program's environment and modality (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, residential, pharmacotherapy, detoxification, or day care). Intake - 2 of 12 Core Functions The administrative and initial assessment procedures for admission to a program. Intake usually becomes an extension of the screening, when the decision to formally admit is documented. Much of the intake process includes the completion of various forms. Typically, the client and counselor fill out an admission or intake sheet, document the initial assessment, complete appropriate releases of information, collect financial data, sign a consent for treatment, and assign the primary counselor. Orientation - 3 of 12 Core Functions Describing to the client the following: general nature and goals of the program; rules governing client conduct and infractions that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program; in a non-residential program, the hours during which services are available; treatment costs to be borne by the client, if any; and client rights. Orientation This core function may be provided before, during, and/or after the client's screening and intake. It can be conducted in an individual, group, or family context. Portions of the orientation may include other personnel for certain specific aspects of treatment, such as medication. Assessment - 4 of 12 Core Functions The procedures by which a counselor/program identifies and evaluates an individual's strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs for the development of a treatment plan. Assessment is a continuing process, it is generally emphasized early in treatment. It usually results from a combination of focused interviews, testing, and/or record reviews. The counselor evaluates major life areas (i.e., physical health vocational development, social adaptation, legal involvement, and psychological functioning) and assesses the extent to which alcohol or drug use has interfered with the client's functioning in each of these areas. The results of this assessment should suggest the focus treatment. Treatment Planning - 5 of 12 Core Functions The process by which the counselor and client identify and rank problems needing resolution; establish agreed upon immediate and long-term goals; and decide upon a treatment process and the resources to be utilized. Treatment contract based on the assessment and is a product of negotiation between the client and counselor to be sure the plan is tailored to the individual's needs. The language of the problem, goal, and strategy statements should be specific, intelligible to the client, and expressed in behavioral terms. The statement of the problem concisely on a client need identified previously. The goal statements refer specifically to the identified problem and may include one objective or set of objectives ultimately intended to solve or mitigate the problem. The goals must be expressed in behavioral terms in order for the counselor and client to determine progress in treatment. Both immediate and long-term goals should be established. The plan or strategy is a specific activity that links the problem with the goal. It describes the services, who will provide them, when they will be provided, and at what frequency. Treatment planning is a dynamic process and the contracts must be regularly reviewed and modified as appropriate. Counseling - 6 of 12 Core Functions Individual, Group, and Significant Others): The utilization of special skills to assist individuals, families, or groups in achieving objectives through exploration of a problem and its ramifications, examination of attitudes and feelings; consideration of alternative solutions; and decision-making. Counseling is basically a relationship in which the counselor helps the client mobilize resources to resolve his or her problem and/or modify attitudes and values. The counselor must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of various counseling approaches. These methods may include Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Strategic Family Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, etc. Further, the counselor must be able to explain the rationale for using a specific approach for the particular client. For example, a behavioral approach might be suggested for clients who are resistant and manipulative or have difficulty anticipating consequences and regulating impulses. On the other hand, a cognitive approach may be appropriate for a client who is depressed, yet insightful and articulate. Also, the counselor should explain his or her rationale for choosing a counseling approach in an individual, group, or family context. Finally, the counselor should be able to explain why a counseling approach or context changed during treatment. Case Management - 7 of 12 Core Functions Activities which bring services, agencies, resources, or people together within a planned framework of action toward the achievement of established goals. It may involve liaison activities and collateral contacts. Case management is the coordination of a multiple services plan. Case management decisions must be explained to the client. By the time many alcohol and other drug abusers enter treatment they tend to manifest dysfunction in a variety of areas. For example, a heroin addict may have hepatitis, lack job skills and have a pending criminal charge. In this case, the counselor might monitor his medical treatment, make a referral to a vocational rehabilitation program and communicate with representatives of the criminal justice system. The client may also be receiving other treatment services such as family therapy and pharmacotherapy, within the same agency. These activities must be integrated into the treatment plan and communication must be maintained with the appropriate personnel. Crisis Intervention - 8 of 12 Core Functions Those services which respond to an alcohol and/or other drug abuser's needs during acute emotional and/or physical distress. Crisis is a decisive, crucial event in the course of treatment that threatens to compromise or destroy the rehabilitation effort. These crises may be directly related to alcohol or drug use (i.e., overdose or relapse) or indirectly related. The latter might include the death of a significant other, separation/divorce, arrest, suicidal gestures, a psychotic episode or outside pressure to terminate treatment. If no specific crisis is presented in the Written Case, rely on and describe a past experience with a client. Describe the overall picture--before, during and after the crisis. It is imperative that the counselor be able to identify the crises when they surface, attempt to mitigate or resolve the immediate problem and use negative events to enhance the treatment efforts, if possible. Client Education - 9 of 12 Core Functions Provision of information to individuals and groups concerning alcohol and other drug abuse and the available services and resources. Client Education is provided in a variety of ways. In certain inpatient and residential programs, for example, a sequence of formal classes may be conducted using a didactic format with reading materials and films. On the other hand, an outpatient counselor may provide relevant information to the client individually or informally. In addition to alcohol and drug information, client education may include a description of self-help groups and other resources that are available to the clients and their families. The applicant must be competent in providing specific examples of