CAADE Assessment Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is primarily used to assess:
- Alcohol use severity only
- Non-alcohol drug use problems (Correct answer)
- Nicotine dependence
- Prescription medication compliance
Correct answer: Non-alcohol drug use problems
The DAST-10 screens specifically for problems related to non-alcohol drug use and helps determine the severity of drug-related issues.
Question 2: Cultural humility in the assessment process PRIMARILY requires a counselor to:
- Use only standardized tools validated on diverse populations
- Acknowledge their own cultural biases and remain open to the client's cultural context (Correct answer)
- Avoid asking about cultural background to prevent offense
- Translate all assessment tools into the client's native language
Correct answer: Acknowledge their own cultural biases and remain open to the client's cultural context
Cultural humility requires counselors to recognize their own biases, maintain curiosity about the client's culture, and adapt their approach to honor the client's cultural worldview.
Question 3: Which type of assessment question is MOST useful for exploring the functional role that substance use plays for a client?
- Close-ended questions requiring yes/no answers
- Open-ended questions about what the substance does for them (Correct answer)
- Leading questions that suggest correct responses
- Confrontational questions about denial
Correct answer: Open-ended questions about what the substance does for them
Open-ended questions like 'What does using do for you?' help clients articulate the perceived benefits and functions of their substance use, which is essential for treatment planning.
Question 4: A counselor uses the Stages of Change model during assessment. A client who acknowledges having a problem and intends to change within the next six months is in which stage?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Action
Correct answer: Contemplation
The contemplation stage is characterized by awareness of the problem and consideration of change within the next six months, but without immediate commitment to act.
Question 5: Collateral information gathered during assessment refers to:
- Financial data from the client's bank records
- Information obtained from sources other than the client, such as family or medical records (Correct answer)
- Previous counselor notes from unrelated therapy
- Insurance documentation for billing purposes
Correct answer: Information obtained from sources other than the client, such as family or medical records
Collateral information comes from third parties such as family members, prior treatment records, or medical providers, and helps verify and supplement the client's self-report.
Question 6: Which assessment approach evaluates a client's strengths, resources, and resiliency alongside problem areas?
- Deficit-based assessment
- Strengths-based assessment (Correct answer)
- Risk-only assessment
- Purely diagnostic assessment
Correct answer: Strengths-based assessment
Strengths-based assessment identifies protective factors, personal assets, and community resources that can support recovery, rather than focusing solely on problems.
Question 7: Informed consent in the assessment process requires the counselor to ensure the client understands:
- Only the cost of treatment services
- The purpose of the assessment, how information will be used, and their right to refuse (Correct answer)
- The counselor's personal clinical opinions about their prognosis
- All DSM-5 criteria applicable to their case
Correct answer: The purpose of the assessment, how information will be used, and their right to refuse
Informed consent requires clients to understand the purpose of the assessment, how the information will be used, confidentiality limits, and their right to decline participation.
CAADE Assessment Techniques 3
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is primarily used to assess: