CASAC Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis 2

Question 1

When conducting a substance use history during assessment, which of the following information is most important to obtain for each substance used?

Accepted Answer

Age of first use, route of administration, frequency and quantity of current use, last use, and previous treatment episodes

Answer

Only the name of the substance

Answer

How much the client spent on substances

Answer

Whether the client's friends also use substances

Question 2

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is commonly used in substance abuse settings to screen for which co-occurring condition?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Anxiety disorders

Answer

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Answer

Personality disorders

Question 3

What is the clinical significance of distinguishing between a substance-induced psychiatric disorder and an independent psychiatric disorder in a client with co-occurring substance use?

Accepted Answer

The distinction guides treatment — substance-induced disorders are expected to resolve with abstinence, while independent disorders require ongoing psychiatric treatment even after substance use stops

Answer

There is no clinical difference between the two

Answer

Substance-induced disorders are always more severe

Answer

Independent disorders cannot co-occur with substance use

Question 4

When assessing a client's readiness for change regarding substance use, which validated instrument specifically measures motivation and readiness along the stages of change continuum?

Accepted Answer

URICA (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment)

Answer

Beck Depression Inventory

Answer

MMPI-2

Answer

CAGE questionnaire

Question 5

A substance abuse counselor administers the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to a new client. What specific aspect of suicide risk does this instrument assess?

Accepted Answer

It systematically classifies suicidal ideation by severity (passive to active with plan and intent) and assesses suicidal behavior, providing a structured risk classification

Answer

It measures the client's general happiness level

Answer

It only asks whether the client has ever thought about death

Answer

It diagnoses depression

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of conducting a comprehensive psychosocial assessment in addition to substance-specific screening in a substance abuse treatment setting?

Accepted Answer

It identifies the broader context of the client's functioning including relationships, employment, housing, legal issues, trauma history, and strengths that must be addressed for successful recovery

Answer

It is solely required for insurance billing purposes

Answer

It replaces the need for a substance use history

Answer

It is only necessary for clients with co-occurring disorders