CAADC Crisis Intervention and Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses suicidal ideation with a specific plan involving medication stockpiling. What is the immediate priority?
- Schedule a follow-up for the next day
- Conduct risk assessment, ensure safety by addressing lethal means, and activate crisis protocols (Correct answer)
- Refer to primary care
- Document and continue the session
Correct answer: Conduct risk assessment, ensure safety by addressing lethal means, and activate crisis protocols
Active suicidal ideation with a specific plan requires immediate crisis intervention.
The counselor should remain calm, conduct structured risk assessment, address lethal means (secure medications), develop a safety plan, determine if emergency evaluation is needed, notify supervisor, and document thoroughly.
Question 2: What distinguishes a 'crisis' from a 'problem' in addiction counseling?
- They are identical
- A crisis involves acute psychological disequilibrium where usual coping is overwhelmed, creating time-limited urgency (Correct answer)
- A crisis is any inconvenience reported
- Problems become crises after one year
Correct answer: A crisis involves acute psychological disequilibrium where usual coping is overwhelmed, creating time-limited urgency
A crisis is characterized by acute overwhelm where usual coping strategies fail.
Crises are time-limited (4-6 weeks), present both danger and opportunity for change, and require intervention beyond routine counseling. For addiction clients, crises may include relapse, overdose, or acute psychiatric decompensation.
Question 3: During group therapy, a client becomes agitated and throws a chair. What is the most appropriate initial response?
- Physically restrain immediately
- Ensure safety of all members, attempt verbal de-escalation, and call for additional support (Correct answer)
- Ask group members to confront the client
- Leave and wait for them to calm down
Correct answer: Ensure safety of all members, attempt verbal de-escalation, and call for additional support
Safety for everyone combined with least restrictive intervention guides the response.
Direct other members to safety, maintain non-threatening posture, use calm acknowledgment of distress, avoid commands that could escalate, and only consider physical intervention as a last resort by trained staff.
Question 4: What is 'psychological first aid' in addiction treatment settings?
- A psychotherapy requiring a doctoral degree
- An evidence-informed approach to immediate crisis support focusing on safety, stabilization, and connection to resources (Correct answer)
- A medical procedure for overdose
- A form of hypnotherapy
Correct answer: An evidence-informed approach to immediate crisis support focusing on safety, stabilization, and connection to resources
PFA provides immediate emotional and practical support following crisis events.
PFA's core actions include contact/engagement, safety/comfort, stabilization, information gathering, practical assistance, connecting to social supports, coping information, and service linkage. It is designed for non-specialists.
Question 5: A client in early recovery calls the after-hours line holding drugs and feeling certain they will relapse. Which strategy is most appropriate?
- Tell them relapse is normal and not to worry
- Engage in immediate safety planning including substance disposal, support activation, and a 24-hour plan (Correct answer)
- Advise hospital admission immediately
- Tell them to call back during business hours
Correct answer: Engage in immediate safety planning including substance disposal, support activation, and a 24-hour plan
This is a critical intervention point where immediate action can prevent relapse.
Praise the call, assess the environment, guide substance disposal, activate support network, challenge thoughts driving urges, develop a concrete 24-hour plan, and arrange immediate follow-up.
Question 6: What is 'postvention' following a client suicide in an addiction treatment setting?
- It is unnecessary since client deaths are confidential
- The organized response to support survivors, prevent contagion, process grief, and maintain community stability (Correct answer)
- It means preventing the next group session
- An investigation to assign blame
Correct answer: The organized response to support survivors, prevent contagion, process grief, and maintain community stability
Postvention supports the treatment community after suicide and reduces contagion risk.
Postvention includes staff notification, coordinated client notification, increased monitoring of high-risk clients, processing sessions, staff debriefing, family outreach, and non-blaming organizational review.
CAADC Crisis Intervention and Management 2
A client discloses suicidal ideation with a specific plan involving medication stockpiling.
What is the immediate priority?