CASAC Alcohol And Drug Counselor 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which screening tool is specifically validated to identify alcohol use disorders in primary care settings using only 3 questions?
- CAGE
- AUDIT-C (Correct answer)
- DAST-10
- CRAFFT
Correct answer: AUDIT-C
The AUDIT-C is a 3-item abbreviated version of the AUDIT validated for alcohol use disorder screening in primary care populations.
Question 2: A client discloses they have been using benzodiazepines prescribed to them but now cannot stop without feeling physically ill. This presentation most likely indicates:
- Psychological dependence only with no medical risk
- Physical dependence requiring medically supervised withdrawal (Correct answer)
- Misuse requiring immediate psychiatric hospitalization
- Tolerance only with no withdrawal risk
Correct answer: Physical dependence requiring medically supervised withdrawal
Physical symptoms upon discontinuation of benzodiazepines indicate physical dependence, and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening, requiring medical supervision.
Question 3: The ethical principle of non-maleficence in substance abuse counseling primarily obligates the counselor to:
- Promote the client's autonomy in all treatment decisions
- Distribute benefits and burdens fairly across clients
- Avoid actions that cause harm to the client (Correct answer)
- Respect the client's right to truthful information
Correct answer: Avoid actions that cause harm to the client
Non-maleficence means 'do no harm' — the counselor must avoid interventions or actions that could injure the client physically, psychologically, or socially.
Question 4: Motivational Interviewing's OARS technique uses reflective listening. Which of the following is an example of a 'double-sided reflection'?
- 'Tell me more about how drinking has affected your job.'
- 'So on one hand you enjoy the relief alcohol gives you, and on the other you're worried about your health.' (Correct answer)
- 'It sounds like you're ready to make a change.'
- 'What would have to happen for you to consider cutting back?'
Correct answer: 'So on one hand you enjoy the relief alcohol gives you, and on the other you're worried about your health.'
A double-sided reflection acknowledges both sides of ambivalence simultaneously, validating the client's mixed feelings and evoking change talk.
Question 5: A client's urine drug screen is positive for marijuana but the client denies use. The counselor's best initial response is to:
- Immediately discharge the client for dishonesty
- Confront the client aggressively to break through denial
- Explore the result collaboratively and consider possible explanations (Correct answer)
- Ignore the result to preserve the therapeutic alliance
Correct answer: Explore the result collaboratively and consider possible explanations
An MI-consistent, non-confrontational exploration allows the counselor to address the discrepancy while preserving trust and gathering complete information before drawing conclusions.
Question 6: According to the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria, Level 3.1 refers to which level of care?
- Clinically managed low-intensity residential services (Correct answer)
- Medically monitored intensive inpatient services
- Partial hospitalization/day treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
Correct answer: Clinically managed low-intensity residential services
ASAM Level 3.1 is clinically managed low-intensity residential services (halfway house level) providing 24-hour supportive structure with minimal clinical hours.
Question 7: A counselor working with a Native American client should prioritize which approach to enhance cultural responsiveness?
- Applying standard evidence-based protocols without modification
- Incorporating traditional healing practices and community resources when the client values them (Correct answer)
- Referring the client immediately to a Native American counselor
- Avoiding discussion of cultural identity to focus on the substance use disorder
Correct answer: Incorporating traditional healing practices and community resources when the client values them
Culturally responsive care integrates the client's own cultural values, including traditional healing, to improve engagement and outcomes for Native American clients.
CASAC Alcohol And Drug Counselor 5
Which screening tool is specifically validated to identify alcohol use disorders in primary care settings using only 3 questions?