Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) exam
questions and answers 2025
1. What is the primary goal of addiction counseling?
A. To confront the client about their denial
B. To help the client achieve and maintain abstinence
C. To diagnose mental illness
D. To provide legal defense for substance abuse charges
Rationale: The main purpose of addiction counseling is to help clients stop using
substances and maintain long-term recovery.
2. Which stage of change involves the client actively taking steps to stop
substance use?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Action
D. Maintenance
Rationale: The Action stage involves direct efforts by the client to change
behavior, such as stopping drug or alcohol use.
,3. Which screening tool is commonly used to assess alcohol use?
A. PHQ-9
B. CAGE
C. MMPI
D. BDI
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool specifically designed
to identify potential alcohol problems.
4. A client with repeated relapses may benefit most from:
A. Less frequent therapy sessions
B. Ignoring relapse triggers
C. Relapse prevention planning
D. Termination of services
Rationale: Relapse prevention strategies help clients identify triggers and create
coping mechanisms to prevent future relapses.
5. The term “co-occurring disorder” refers to:
A. Physical and emotional disorders
B. Two addictions at once
C. Substance use and a mental health disorder
D. Legal and social issues
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders involve both substance use and a mental health
diagnosis, requiring integrated treatment.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of a stimulant?
A. Heroin
B. Cocaine
C. Alcohol
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant that increases activity in the central nervous
system.
7. Motivational Interviewing is based on:
A. Telling clients what to do
B. Enhancing internal motivation for change
C. Punishment and consequences
D. Passive listening only
Rationale: Motivational Interviewing helps clients explore and resolve
ambivalence toward change.
8. Confidentiality in addiction counseling is governed primarily by:
A. State tax laws
B. 42 CFR Part 2
C. HIPPA Part 9
D. DSM-5
questions and answers 2025
1. What is the primary goal of addiction counseling?
A. To confront the client about their denial
B. To help the client achieve and maintain abstinence
C. To diagnose mental illness
D. To provide legal defense for substance abuse charges
Rationale: The main purpose of addiction counseling is to help clients stop using
substances and maintain long-term recovery.
2. Which stage of change involves the client actively taking steps to stop
substance use?
A. Precontemplation
B. Contemplation
C. Action
D. Maintenance
Rationale: The Action stage involves direct efforts by the client to change
behavior, such as stopping drug or alcohol use.
,3. Which screening tool is commonly used to assess alcohol use?
A. PHQ-9
B. CAGE
C. MMPI
D. BDI
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool specifically designed
to identify potential alcohol problems.
4. A client with repeated relapses may benefit most from:
A. Less frequent therapy sessions
B. Ignoring relapse triggers
C. Relapse prevention planning
D. Termination of services
Rationale: Relapse prevention strategies help clients identify triggers and create
coping mechanisms to prevent future relapses.
5. The term “co-occurring disorder” refers to:
A. Physical and emotional disorders
B. Two addictions at once
C. Substance use and a mental health disorder
D. Legal and social issues
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders involve both substance use and a mental health
diagnosis, requiring integrated treatment.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of a stimulant?
A. Heroin
B. Cocaine
C. Alcohol
D. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant that increases activity in the central nervous
system.
7. Motivational Interviewing is based on:
A. Telling clients what to do
B. Enhancing internal motivation for change
C. Punishment and consequences
D. Passive listening only
Rationale: Motivational Interviewing helps clients explore and resolve
ambivalence toward change.
8. Confidentiality in addiction counseling is governed primarily by:
A. State tax laws
B. 42 CFR Part 2
C. HIPPA Part 9
D. DSM-5
