ADDICTIONS COUNSELOR PRACTICE EXAM|QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|NEW UPDATE 2026/2027| GUARANTEED SUCCESS|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
CORRECT|ANSWER
ANSWERS|NEW UPDATE 2026/2027| GUARANTEED SUCCESS|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
CORRECT|ANSWER
