CAS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) are most effective when the peer specialist: → Has lived experience with addiction and recovery
2. Which factor is crucial for long-term addiction recovery? → Having a strong support system
3. What is the role of group therapy in substance counseling? → To offer peer support and shared experiences
4. In the context of addiction specialist, which principle most directly governs addiction specialist treatment & intervention practices? → Applying evidence-based methodologies with peer-reviewed support
5. Under the DSM-5, which specifier is used to note a substance use disorder in a client also diagnosed with a depressive disorder? → Substance/medication-induced
6. What is the most common mistake professionals make when implementing addiction specialist substance counseling strategies? → Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios
7. Which mental health disorder most frequently co-occurs with alcohol use disorder? → Major depressive disorder
8. Naloxone is combined with buprenorphine in Suboxone primarily to: → Deter intravenous misuse by precipitating withdrawal if injected
9. Which factor is crucial in making an accurate substance use diagnosis? → Conducting a comprehensive patient history
10. Why is relapse prevention planning an essential part of addiction treatment? → To help individuals recognize triggers and maintain recovery
11. What is the role of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in addiction recovery? → To reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings
12. Which tool or methodology is most appropriate for analyzing addiction specialist treatment & intervention outcomes? → Maintaining professional boundaries while building collaborative relationships
13. The National Recovery Month, observed every September, is sponsored by: → SAMHSA
14. Which ethical principle ensures addiction counselors provide equal treatment to all clients? → Justice
15. During a documentation & record management audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
16. During a communication & stakeholder engagement audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
17. During a quality assurance & compliance audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
18. Which scenario would require a addiction specialist professional to escalate a addiction specialist substance counseling concern? → Creating feedback mechanisms that encourage continuous improvement
19. The 'quadrant model' for co-occurring disorders classifies clients based on which two dimensions? → Severity of mental illness and severity of substance use disorder
20. Which approach is most commonly used in addiction treatment? → Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
21. What is the recommended frequency for reviewing and updating addiction specialist treatment & intervention protocols? → Monitoring outcomes through regular data collection and trend analysis
22. What is the most common mistake professionals make when implementing addiction specialist evaluation & diagnosis strategies? → Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios
23. Which tool or methodology is most appropriate for analyzing addiction specialist ethics & professionalism outcomes? → Maintaining professional boundaries while building collaborative relationships
24. Why is relapse prevention planning important in substance counseling? → To help individuals identify triggers and maintain sobriety
25. Which term best describes a client who simultaneously meets diagnostic criteria for both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder? → Dual diagnosis
26. Which medication is FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder and works by causing an aversive reaction when alcohol is consumed? → Disulfiram
27. What is the most common mistake professionals make when implementing addiction specialist treatment & intervention strategies? → Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios
28. A new regulation impacts addiction specialist substance counseling procedures. What should a CAS professional do first? → Ensuring compliance with current regulatory requirements and standards
29. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are FDA-approved to treat: → Tobacco use disorder
30. Clients with co-occurring bipolar disorder and stimulant use disorder are at elevated risk for: → Manic episode precipitation and cycle acceleration