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 of the following BEST describes the concept of 'recovery capital' in the context of risk mitigation? → The internal and external resources an individual can draw upon to sustain recovery
10. Which factor is crucial in making an accurate substance use diagnosis? → Conducting a comprehensive patient history
11. Why is relapse prevention planning an essential part of addiction treatment? → To help individuals recognize triggers and maintain recovery
12. What is the role of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in addiction recovery? → To reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings
13. Under HIPAA, which of the following is classified as Protected Health Information (PHI)? → A client's name linked to their SUD diagnosis in any format
14. Which approach BEST characterizes harm reduction as a risk mitigation strategy for active substance users? → Reducing negative consequences of use without demanding immediate cessation
15. Which scenario represents an example of tertiary prevention in addiction risk management? → Relapse prevention counseling for clients who have completed primary treatment
16. Which tool or methodology is most appropriate for analyzing addiction specialist treatment & intervention outcomes? → Maintaining professional boundaries while building collaborative relationships
17. Which communication barrier is MOST likely to occur when a CAS works with a client who has low health literacy? → The client misunderstands clinical instructions or treatment expectations
18. The National Recovery Month, observed every September, is sponsored by: → SAMHSA
19. Which ethical principle ensures addiction counselors provide equal treatment to all clients? → Justice
20. In quality assurance, a 'sentinel event' is best defined as: → An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm
21. During a documentation & record management audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
22. When documenting a client's relapse in a progress note, the CAS counselor should FIRST: → Record the facts objectively, including substances used, amount, and context
23. During a communication & stakeholder engagement audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
24. During a quality assurance & compliance audit, which documentation is most critical to have readily available? → Conducting root cause analysis to identify underlying systemic issues
25. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate timeframe standard for completing a progress note after a counseling session? → Within 24 hours or per the agency's documented policy
26. Which scenario would require a addiction specialist professional to escalate a addiction specialist substance counseling concern? → Creating feedback mechanisms that encourage continuous improvement
27. The 'quadrant model' for co-occurring disorders classifies clients based on which two dimensions? → Severity of mental illness and severity of substance use disorder
28. A CAS receives a social media connection request from a current client. According to professional ethics, the CAS should: → Decline the request and address it therapeutically in the next session if appropriate
29. Which approach is most commonly used in addiction treatment? → Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
30. What is the recommended frequency for reviewing and updating addiction specialist treatment & intervention protocols? → Monitoring outcomes through regular data collection and trend analysis