CDCA Assessment & Diagnosis of SUD 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a urine drug screen (UDS) in the context of SUD assessment?
- To replace the clinical interview
- To provide objective information about recent substance use (Correct answer)
- To determine the severity level of SUD
- To identify family history of addiction
Correct answer: To provide objective information about recent substance use
A urine drug screen provides objective, biological evidence of recent substance use and is used alongside self-report to validate clinical findings.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'craving' as a DSM-5 criterion for Substance Use Disorder?
- Needing more substance for the same effect
- A strong desire or urge to use the substance (Correct answer)
- Physical symptoms when stopping use
- Using more than planned
Correct answer: A strong desire or urge to use the substance
Craving is defined in DSM-5 as a strong desire or urge to use a substance, and was added as an explicit criterion in the DSM-5 revision.
Question 3: A client reports spending most of their day obtaining, using, or recovering from methamphetamine. Which DSM-5 criterion does this reflect?
- Hazardous use
- Withdrawal
- A great deal of time spent in activities to obtain, use, or recover from substance (Correct answer)
- Craving
Correct answer: A great deal of time spent in activities to obtain, use, or recover from substance
Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of a substance is one of the impaired control criteria in DSM-5.
Question 4: Which ASAM dimension is focused on the client's environment, including whether they live with other people who use substances?
- Dimension 2: Biomedical Conditions and Complications
- Dimension 4: Readiness to Change
- Dimension 5: Relapse, Continued Use, or Continued Problem Potential
- Dimension 6: Recovery/Living Environment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dimension 6: Recovery/Living Environment
ASAM Dimension 6 evaluates the recovery environment, including living situation, social support, and exposure to substance-using peers or family members.
Question 5: When conducting a mental status examination as part of an SUD assessment, which area assesses whether a client understands their situation and recognizes they have a problem?
- Affect
- Insight and judgment (Correct answer)
- Memory and cognition
- Appearance and behavior
Correct answer: Insight and judgment
Insight and judgment in a mental status exam evaluate a client's awareness of their condition and their ability to make reasonable decisions about their care.
Question 6: A client who stops using benzodiazepines abruptly and experiences seizures is illustrating which concept relevant to SUD assessment?
- Tolerance
- Cross-dependence
- Physiological withdrawal (Correct answer)
- Euphoric recall
Correct answer: Physiological withdrawal
Physiological withdrawal occurs when the body, having adapted to a substance, reacts with physical symptoms when the substance is stopped, and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening.
Question 7: Which of the following best explains why cultural factors must be considered during SUD assessment?
- Cultural norms do not affect substance use patterns
- Cultural background influences attitudes toward substance use, help-seeking, and disclosure (Correct answer)
- All screening tools are culturally validated for every population
- Culture only affects treatment, not diagnosis
Correct answer: Cultural background influences attitudes toward substance use, help-seeking, and disclosure
Cultural factors shape how clients perceive substance use, whether they seek help, and how openly they discuss use with clinicians, making culturally competent assessment essential.
CDCA Assessment & Diagnosis of SUD 5
What is the primary purpose of a urine drug screen (UDS) in the context of SUD assessment?