CDCA Assessment & Diagnosis of SUD 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ASAM dimension addresses a client's history of mental health treatment and co-occurring psychiatric disorders?
- Dimension 1: Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential
- Dimension 3: Emotional, Behavioral, or Cognitive Conditions and Complications (Correct answer)
- Dimension 4: Readiness to Change
- Dimension 6: Recovery/Living Environment
Correct answer: Dimension 3: Emotional, Behavioral, or Cognitive Conditions and Complications
ASAM Dimension 3 specifically evaluates emotional, behavioral, and cognitive conditions including co-occurring mental health disorders.
Question 2: A client uses cocaine to relieve symptoms of depression. This pattern is best described as:
- Cross-tolerance
- Self-medication (Correct answer)
- Euphoric recall
- Behavioral addiction
Correct answer: Self-medication
Self-medication refers to using substances to manage uncomfortable emotional states or symptoms of underlying mental health conditions.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT one of the 11 DSM-5 criteria used to diagnose Substance Use Disorder?
- Craving or strong desire to use
- Tolerance
- Using more than intended
- Blackouts and memory loss (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Blackouts and memory loss
Blackouts and memory loss are not among the 11 DSM-5 SUD criteria, though they may occur as consequences of heavy substance use.
Question 4: In the context of SUD assessment, what does the term 'polysubstance use' refer to?
- Using one substance at very high doses
- Using two or more substances concurrently or in a pattern (Correct answer)
- A genetic predisposition to addiction
- Switching from one substance to another during recovery
Correct answer: Using two or more substances concurrently or in a pattern
Polysubstance use refers to the concurrent or sequential use of two or more substances, which complicates both assessment and treatment planning.
Question 5: A client continues to use alcohol despite knowing it worsens their liver disease. Which DSM-5 criterion does this illustrate?
- Craving
- Tolerance
- Continued use despite knowledge of a persistent physical problem (Correct answer)
- Withdrawal
Correct answer: Continued use despite knowledge of a persistent physical problem
Continued use despite knowledge of a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem is one of the health consequence criteria in DSM-5.
Question 6: Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) describes a client who acknowledges they have a problem but is not yet ready to make a change?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Action
Correct answer: Contemplation
In the Contemplation stage, a person is aware that a problem exists and is seriously thinking about overcoming it but has not yet made a commitment to take action.
Question 7: Which assessment domain examines a client's legal history, including current legal involvement related to substance use?
- Medical/physical domain
- Legal domain (Correct answer)
- Social/family domain
- Psychological domain
Correct answer: Legal domain
The legal domain of a comprehensive assessment covers arrest history, pending charges, probation or parole status, and legal consequences of substance use.
CDCA Assessment & Diagnosis of SUD 4
Which ASAM dimension addresses a client's history of mental health treatment and co-occurring psychiatric disorders?