CAC Co-occurring Disorders

Question 1

What percentage of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 50%

Answer

Research consistently shows that roughly half of people with a substance use disorder have at least one co-occurring mental health condition.

Question 2

The term 'dual diagnosis' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Having both a substance use disorder and a psychiatric disorder simultaneously

Answer

Dual diagnosis (or co-occurring disorders) describes the simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and one or more mental health conditions.

Question 3

Which mental health disorder is MOST commonly co-occurring with substance use disorders?

Accepted Answer

Depression and anxiety disorders

Answer

Mood disorders (especially depression) and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions among people with substance use disorders.

Question 4

When assessing a client for co-occurring disorders, a counselor should wait how long after last substance use before evaluating psychiatric symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Long enough for acute intoxication and withdrawal effects to clear (typically 2–4 weeks)

Answer

Waiting 2–4 weeks allows the counselor to distinguish substance-induced symptoms from underlying psychiatric disorders.

Question 5

Which model of co-occurring disorders proposes that one disorder directly causes the other?

Accepted Answer

Secondary disorder model

Answer

The secondary disorder model proposes that one disorder (e.g., substance use) causes the other (e.g., depression), though in reality the relationship is usually more complex.

CAC - Certified Addiction Counselor Practice Test

CAC - Certified Addiction Counselor Practice Test

CAC Co-occurring Disorders