Chemical Dependency Counselor License Exam Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis

Question 1

Which term best describes a client who has both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder?

Accepted Answer

Dual diagnosis

Answer

Polydrug user

Answer

Chronic relapsee

Answer

Polysubstance abuser

Question 2

When treating a client with co-occurring depression and alcohol use disorder, which approach is most recommended by current best practices?

Accepted Answer

Use an integrated treatment approach addressing both conditions simultaneously

Answer

Treat the substance use disorder first, then address depression

Answer

Treat the depression first using medications only

Answer

Refer the client to separate programs for each disorder

Question 3

A counselor notices a client's anxiety symptoms worsen significantly during early abstinence. What should the counselor consider first?

Accepted Answer

Determine whether the anxiety is substance-induced or an independent disorder

Answer

Immediately prescribe an anxiolytic

Answer

Discharge the client for non-compliance

Answer

Ignore the symptoms as typical withdrawal

Question 4

Which screening tool is most commonly used to identify co-occurring mental health disorders alongside substance use?

Accepted Answer

MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)

Answer

CAGE questionnaire

Answer

AUDIT-C

Answer

Breathalyzer

Question 5

Trauma and PTSD frequently co-occur with substance use disorders. What integrated model addresses both trauma and addiction?

Accepted Answer

Seeking Safety

Answer

12-Step Facilitation

Answer

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

Answer

Contingency Management

Question 6

A client with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder refuses psychiatric medication. What is the counselor's best initial response?

Accepted Answer

Use motivational interviewing to explore the client's ambivalence about medication

Answer

Terminate services immediately

Answer

Mandate medication adherence as a condition of treatment

Answer

Ignore the psychiatric symptoms and focus only on substance use