The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential validates your competency across the full spectrum of addiction counseling. Whether you are preparing to sit for your state exam or a national NAADAC-aligned assessment, a printable PDF lets you study anywhere — no internet required. Our free CADC practice test PDF mirrors the format and difficulty of the real exam, covering all 12 Core Functions and the ethical standards you will be tested on. Download it, print it, and work through each question at your own pace.
Every CADC exam centers on the 12 Core Functions developed for substance abuse counseling practice: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and recordkeeping, and consultation with other professionals. Expect scenario-based questions that ask you to identify which function applies in a given clinical situation.
Motivational interviewing (MI) and the Transtheoretical Model (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) are foundational frameworks. Questions test your ability to select the appropriate MI technique — reflective listening, open-ended questions, affirmations, summaries — for clients at each stage of change.
The DSM-5 consolidated substance abuse and dependence into a single substance use disorder spectrum with mild, moderate, and severe specifiers. You must know the diagnostic criteria for common substances and understand how co-occurring disorders such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety interact with addiction treatment planning.
NAADAC's Code of Ethics governs confidentiality (42 CFR Part 2 vs. HIPAA), dual relationships, mandatory reporting, and scope of practice. Relapse prevention content covers cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention models, identifying triggers, coping skill development, and aftercare planning strategies.
Prefer to practice interactively? Our CADC practice test platform delivers instant scoring, detailed answer explanations, and progress tracking across all exam domains. Use the online tests to identify weak areas, then return to the PDF for focused offline review. Combining both study methods gives you the broadest preparation possible before exam day.