Addiction Medicine Certification Addiction Medicine Behavioral Therapies & Counseling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Motivational Interviewing, what does the acronym OARS stand for?
- Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries (Correct answer)
- Observation, Assessment, Reflection, Support
- Objectives, Actions, Results, Steps
- Outcomes, Attitudes, Resilience, Skills
Correct answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries — the four foundational communication skills used in Motivational Interviewing.
Question 2: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adapted for substance use disorder adds which module to its standard skills training?
- Psychoeducation about neuropharmacology
- Dialectical abstinence and attachment strategies (Correct answer)
- Contingency management vouchers
- Family systems therapy sessions
Correct answer: Dialectical abstinence and attachment strategies
DBT adapted for substance use disorder adds dialectical abstinence — combining absolute commitment to abstinence with compassionate relapse management — as a key module.
Question 3: Which therapy is specifically designed to reduce shame and self-stigma in patients with addiction by applying compassion-focused principles?
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP)
- Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) (Correct answer)
- 12-step facilitation
Correct answer: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)
Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) directly targets shame and self-criticism by training patients to cultivate self-compassion, which is particularly relevant given high stigma in addiction.
Question 4: Which behavior therapy model uses functional analysis to identify antecedents, behaviors, and consequences of substance use?
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (Correct answer)
- Community reinforcement approach (CRA)
- Person-centered therapy
Correct answer: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT uses functional analysis (ABC model: antecedents, behavior, consequences) to help patients identify triggers and consequences that maintain their substance use.
Question 5: Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) teaches patients to respond to cravings using which core strategy?
- Immediately calling a sponsor
- Urge surfing — observing cravings without acting on them (Correct answer)
- Replacing cravings with physical exercise
- Distraction through engaging media
Correct answer: Urge surfing — observing cravings without acting on them
MBRP uses 'urge surfing,' a mindfulness technique where patients observe craving sensations like waves that rise and fall without reacting to or acting on them.
Question 6: Which family-based therapy is specifically designed for adolescents with substance use disorders and focuses on family interactions?
- Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT) (Correct answer)
- Adult children of alcoholics groups
- Al-Anon support program
- Family psychoeducation workshops
Correct answer: Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT)
Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) is an evidence-based model developed specifically for adolescent substance use that addresses maladaptive family interaction patterns.
Addiction Medicine Certification Addiction Medicine Behavioral Therapies & Counseling 2
In Motivational Interviewing, what does the acronym OARS stand for?