CDCA Substance Use Disorder & Recovery Knowledge 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which model of addiction views substance use disorder primarily as a result of moral failing and personal choice?
- Disease model
- Biopsychosocial model
- Moral model (Correct answer)
- Learning model
Correct answer: Moral model
The moral model attributes addiction to weak willpower or character flaws, a view largely rejected in modern clinical practice in favor of the disease and biopsychosocial models.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'co-occurring disorders' (COD)?
- Two different substance use disorders present simultaneously
- The presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder (Correct answer)
- A client who has relapsed more than once
- Physical and psychological dependence occurring together
Correct answer: The presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder
Co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis) refers to the simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and at least one mental health disorder.
Question 3: What is the primary goal of Motivational Interviewing (MI) when applied to substance use?
- Confronting the client about denial
- Eliciting the client's own motivation for change (Correct answer)
- Educating clients about health consequences
- Setting strict behavioral contracts
Correct answer: Eliciting the client's own motivation for change
MI is a collaborative, client-centered approach designed to elicit and strengthen a client's own intrinsic motivation and commitment to change.
Question 4: A recovering client tells their counselor, 'I can have just one drink at the party — I've been sober two years and I'm in control now.' This thinking pattern is an example of:
- Cognitive reframing
- Rationalization and relapse thinking (Correct answer)
- Self-efficacy
- Contemplation stage ambivalence
Correct answer: Rationalization and relapse thinking
This statement reflects relapse-prone rationalization, where the client minimizes risk and justifies using substances despite recovery history.
Question 5: The CAGE questionnaire is used to screen for which substance use issue?
- Opioid misuse
- Stimulant misuse
- Alcohol problems (Correct answer)
- Polysubstance use
Correct answer: Alcohol problems
The CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is a validated 4-item screening tool specifically designed to identify alcohol use problems.
Question 6: Which neurotransmitter system does alcohol primarily potentiate to produce its sedative effects?
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- GABA (Correct answer)
- Glutamate
Correct answer: GABA
Alcohol enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), producing the sedative, anxiolytic, and hypnotic effects of intoxication.
Question 7: According to the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria, level of care placement decisions are primarily based on:
- The client's preference and insurance coverage
- A multidimensional assessment across six life areas (Correct answer)
- The severity of physical dependence only
- Court mandates and legal history
Correct answer: A multidimensional assessment across six life areas
ASAM criteria use six dimensions (intoxication/withdrawal, biomedical, emotional/behavioral, readiness, relapse potential, recovery environment) to determine appropriate level of care.
CDCA Substance Use Disorder & Recovery Knowledge 4
Which model of addiction views substance use disorder primarily as a result of moral failing and personal choice?