CADC Co-Occurring Disorders 4

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter system is most implicated in the shared vulnerability between mood disorders and substance use disorders?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine and serotonin

Answer

Dysregulation of both dopamine (reward/motivation) and serotonin (mood) underlies the shared neurobiological vulnerability between mood disorders and substance use disorders.

Question 2

A client with co-occurring ADHD and stimulant use disorder reports that using methamphetamine actually helps them focus. The counselor should interpret this as:

Accepted Answer

Possible self-medication of untreated ADHD symptoms, warranting formal ADHD assessment

Answer

Clients with undiagnosed ADHD may self-medicate with stimulants; a formal evaluation can identify whether treating ADHD reduces the drive to misuse substances.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes 'diagnostic overshadowing' in co-occurring disorder treatment?

Accepted Answer

Using one disorder's diagnosis to explain all client symptoms, missing a second disorder

Answer

Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when clinicians attribute all symptoms to one disorder (e.g., substance use), failing to identify a co-occurring psychiatric condition.

Question 4

When treating a client with co-occurring panic disorder and alcohol use disorder, which integrated approach is most evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

CBT for both disorders concurrently, addressing alcohol use as avoidance behavior

Answer

Integrated CBT that targets both panic and alcohol use simultaneously—including addressing alcohol use as avoidance of panic—yields better outcomes than sequential treatment.

Question 5

A client with bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder is in a manic episode. The counselor's first priority should be:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring immediate safety and psychiatric stabilization

Answer

Safety and psychiatric stabilization always take precedence during an acute manic episode before addressing substance use education or history-taking.

(CADC) Certification Prep and Alcohol and Drug Counselor Practice Test

(CADC) Certification Prep and Alcohol and Drug Counselor Practice Test

CADC Co-Occurring Disorders 4