CPSS Recovery Orientation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In recovery-oriented practice, 'whole health' refers to which of the following?
- Focusing only on psychiatric symptoms
- Addressing physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being together (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing medication over therapy
- Eliminating all co-occurring diagnoses before addressing recovery
Correct answer: Addressing physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being together
Whole health in recovery means addressing all dimensions of a person's well-being — physical, emotional, social, and spiritual — not just their diagnosis.
Question 2: A peer specialist notices a person is focusing only on their limitations. Which recovery-oriented response is most appropriate?
- Redirect them to a clinical team member immediately
- Help them identify and build on their personal strengths (Correct answer)
- Remind them of their diagnosis and prognosis
- Encourage them to lower their expectations
Correct answer: Help them identify and build on their personal strengths
A strengths-based approach involves helping individuals recognize their own capabilities and resilience as tools for recovery.
Question 3: Which of the following best represents the concept of 'recovery capital'?
- Money saved for treatment co-pays
- The internal and external resources that support a person's recovery (Correct answer)
- A government grant for substance use programs
- Clinical credentials held by a treatment provider
Correct answer: The internal and external resources that support a person's recovery
Recovery capital includes personal strengths, social supports, housing stability, and community connections that help sustain recovery.
Question 4: When a person in recovery says 'I want to go back to school,' a recovery-oriented peer specialist should:
- Advise them to wait until they are fully stable
- Support and encourage the goal while helping identify resources (Correct answer)
- Consult the clinical team before responding
- Question whether the goal is realistic given their diagnosis
Correct answer: Support and encourage the goal while helping identify resources
Affirming and supporting self-identified goals is a core peer support skill aligned with recovery orientation.
Question 5: Which of the following illustrates the recovery value of 'community integration'?
- Remaining in a residential treatment facility long-term
- Participating in local social activities and maintaining natural relationships (Correct answer)
- Attending only peer-run support groups
- Staying connected only with others in formal treatment
Correct answer: Participating in local social activities and maintaining natural relationships
Community integration means living, working, and participating fully in everyday community life beyond the mental health or recovery system.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of peer support in a recovery-oriented system?
- To replace clinical services
- To provide lived-experience guidance and mutual support to promote recovery (Correct answer)
- To monitor medication compliance
- To document symptoms for clinical records
Correct answer: To provide lived-experience guidance and mutual support to promote recovery
Peer support uses shared lived experience to provide connection, guidance, and mutual aid that promotes recovery and reduces isolation.
Question 7: Which recovery domain does employment and education support most directly address?
- Clinical stabilization
- Overcoming stigma
- Home and community life domain
- Social and community domain including purpose and meaning (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Social and community domain including purpose and meaning
Employment and education contribute to a sense of purpose and meaningful participation in community life, key elements of the social and community recovery domain.
CPSS Recovery Orientation 3
In recovery-oriented practice, 'whole health' refers to which of the following?