Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CRC) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which DSM-5 specifier applies when full criteria were previously met but none, except craving, have been met for 3 to 12 months?

Sustained remission
Maintenance therapy
In a controlled environment
Early remission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Early remission

Early remission means at least 3 but less than 12 months without criteria other than craving.

Question 2: When a client discloses a relapse to their recovery coach, the coach's FIRST priority should be:

Expressing disappointment and establishing firm consequences
Discharging the client from services immediately
Ensuring the client's safety and exploring the relapse without judgment (Correct answer)
Contacting the client's family members right away

Correct answer: Ensuring the client's safety and exploring the relapse without judgment

After a relapse, the immediate priority is safety, followed by a compassionate, non-judgmental exploration to inform a revised recovery plan.

Question 3: In motivational interviewing, what does the 'O' in OARS stand for?

Overviews
Open-ended questions (Correct answer)
Objectives
Observations

Correct answer: Open-ended questions

OARS stands for Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries.

Question 4: How does ongoing professional development support professional ethics & legal standards in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

It keeps professionals informed of evolving standards and best practices (Correct answer)
It replaces the need for formal compliance audits
It is irrelevant to compliance outcomes
It only benefits entry-level professionals

Correct answer: It keeps professionals informed of evolving standards and best practices

Ongoing professional development ensures that practitioners stay current with evolving regulations, standards, and best practices in their field.

Question 5: According to Marlatt's research, which category represents the most common high-risk situation for relapse?

Interpersonal conflict with family members
Intrapersonal negative emotional states (Correct answer)
Physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings
Social pressure from others to use substances

Correct answer: Intrapersonal negative emotional states

Marlatt's research found that intrapersonal negative emotional states such as frustration, anger, or depression account for the largest percentage of relapse triggers.

Question 6: A 'lapse' in recovery is clinically distinguished from a 'relapse' in that a lapse is:

A permanent return to prior patterns of addictive behavior
A brief, isolated return to substance use that does not necessarily lead to full relapse (Correct answer)
A change in treatment providers or treatment setting
A planned therapeutic break from abstinence

Correct answer: A brief, isolated return to substance use that does not necessarily lead to full relapse

A lapse is a temporary, isolated episode of substance use; if addressed promptly without catastrophizing, it does not have to progress to full relapse.

Question 7: What role does family involvement play in recovery?

It should be avoided in recovery.
It helps to provide emotional support and reinforcement of healthy behaviors (Correct answer)
It has no impact on recovery.
It only benefits those with severe addiction.

Correct answer: It helps to provide emotional support and reinforcement of healthy behaviors

Family members can be a powerful source of support in recovery, offering emotional encouragement, understanding, and practical assistance. When families are educated and involved, they can reinforce healthy behaviors, create a supportive home environment, and help the individual navigate challenges. This involvement can significantly strengthen the recovery process and reduce feelings of isolation.

Question 8: What does a 'stages of change' assessment help a recovery coach determine?

The client's legal status
The client's blood alcohol level
The client's medication dose
The client's readiness to change, guiding how to tailor support (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The client's readiness to change, guiding how to tailor support

Identifying whether a client is in precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, or maintenance guides coaching approach.

Question 9: What does the acronym HALT stand for in relapse prevention?

Hungry, Anxious, Lonely, Triggered
Hopeless, Angry, Lost, Traumatized
Happy, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired — four states that increase vulnerability to relapse and require immediate self-care attention.

Question 10: Which biomarker can detect alcohol consumption for up to roughly 80 hours after drinking, even after alcohol is no longer measurable in the blood?

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in urine (Correct answer)
Blood glucose
Breath alcohol concentration
Serum albumin

Correct answer: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in urine

EtG is a direct alcohol metabolite detectable in urine for about 80 hours after consumption.

Question 11: Which DSM-5 change differs from the older DSM-IV substance diagnoses?

Tolerance became required for diagnosis
Craving was added as a criterion (Correct answer)
Abuse and dependence were kept separate
Withdrawal was removed entirely

Correct answer: Craving was added as a criterion

DSM-5 merged abuse and dependence into one disorder and added craving while removing recurrent legal problems.

Question 12: In the ASAM criteria, Level 4 represents:

Residential treatment
Medically managed intensive inpatient treatment (Correct answer)
Outpatient treatment
Intensive outpatient programs

Correct answer: Medically managed intensive inpatient treatment

ASAM Level 4 is medically managed intensive inpatient treatment requiring 24-hour nursing care and daily physician availability.

Question 13: What does 'recovery capital' refer to?

Insurance coverage limits
Money paid for treatment
The number of days abstinent
The sum of personal, social, and community resources that support recovery (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The sum of personal, social, and community resources that support recovery

Recovery capital includes the internal and external resources a person can draw on to start and sustain recovery.

Question 14: In the CAGE questionnaire, what does the letter 'E' stand for?

Eye-opener (Correct answer)
Excess
Enjoyment
Embarrassment

Correct answer: Eye-opener

The 'E' asks about an eye-opener, meaning a morning drink to steady nerves or relieve a hangover.

Question 15: Which MI technique acknowledges both the client's reasons to change and their reasons to stay the same?

Double-sided reflection (Correct answer)
Closed questioning
Expert advice giving
Direct confrontation

Correct answer: Double-sided reflection

A double-sided reflection mirrors both sides of the client's ambivalence — desire to change and resistance to it.

Question 16: Which of the following is the best example of a health promotion activity in recovery coaching?

Connecting a person to a community wellness or exercise group (Correct answer)
Adjusting a person's treatment plan
Diagnosing a co-occurring disorder
Prescribing a medication taper

Correct answer: Connecting a person to a community wellness or exercise group

Linking people to community wellness resources is within a coach's scope, unlike diagnosis or prescribing.

Question 17: An effective aftercare plan for a client in early recovery should include all EXCEPT:

Scheduled therapy or counseling appointments
A commitment to never experiencing cravings again (Correct answer)
Support group participation schedule
Crisis contact information and safety plan

Correct answer: A commitment to never experiencing cravings again

Cravings are a normal, expected part of recovery; aftercare plans cannot promise their absence but should provide strategies to manage them.

Question 18: The PHQ-9 is most commonly used in recovery settings to screen for:

Anxiety disorders
Alcohol withdrawal
Opioid craving
Depression severity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Depression severity

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 screens for and measures the severity of depression.

Question 19: A client with a legally prescribed buprenorphine regimen shows positive for buprenorphine on a urine screen. How should the coach interpret this?

As an invalid test
As a sign of diversion only
As evidence of relapse
As expected and consistent with their prescribed treatment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: As expected and consistent with their prescribed treatment

A positive buprenorphine result is expected when a client is taking it as prescribed.

Question 20: Which best describes the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?

Being fair to all clients
Keeping promises
Doing no harm (Correct answer)
Promoting client independence

Correct answer: Doing no harm

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid actions that could harm clients.

Question 21: A client offers the coach a $200 gift card as thanks after six months. What is the most ethical action?

Decline graciously, explain agency policy, and document the offer (Correct answer)
Accept only if the client insists
Accept and donate it without telling anyone
Accept it and keep it private

Correct answer: Decline graciously, explain agency policy, and document the offer

Significant gifts can blur boundaries and create conflicts of interest, so they should be declined and documented per policy.

Question 22: A client's ASAM Dimension 3 assessment focuses on which area?

Housing stability
Emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions and complications (Correct answer)
Biomedical conditions
Readiness to change

Correct answer: Emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions and complications

Dimension 3 covers mental health and cognitive conditions that may affect treatment.

Question 23: Which of Yalom's curative factors in group therapy involves clients realizing others share similar problems?

Altruism
Catharsis
Instillation of hope
Universality (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Universality

Universality is the therapeutic realization that one is not alone in one's struggles, reducing isolation and shame.

Question 24: A coach receives a subpoena for a client's records. What should the coach do first?

Ignore it since records are confidential
Consult the supervisor or legal counsel and review whether a court order meeting Part 2 requirements exists (Correct answer)
Tell the client to destroy their copies
Hand over all records immediately

Correct answer: Consult the supervisor or legal counsel and review whether a court order meeting Part 2 requirements exists

A subpoena alone usually does not authorize disclosure of SUD records; legal review of the proper court order is required.

Question 25: A person in recovery asks whether taking buprenorphine means they are 'not really in recovery.' What is the best response?

Say it depends on how long they plan to take it
Refer them to a support group that opposes medication
Agree, since true recovery means no medications
Explain that medication for OUD is evidence-based and many people consider themselves in recovery while using it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Explain that medication for OUD is evidence-based and many people consider themselves in recovery while using it

Medications for OUD are evidence-based, and recovery is defined by the individual, not by medication status.

Question 26: When making a referral to a community resource, a recovery coach should FIRST:

Assess the client's needs, preferences, and eligibility (Correct answer)
Obtain prior insurance authorization
Contact the resource directly on behalf of the client
Notify the client's family members

Correct answer: Assess the client's needs, preferences, and eligibility

Effective referrals begin with assessing the client's specific needs, preferences, and eligibility to ensure the best possible match.

Question 27: SMART Recovery differs from 12-step programs primarily because it:

Focuses solely on pharmacotherapy
Requires belief in a higher power for recovery
Is only appropriate for alcohol use disorder
Uses evidence-based, self-empowerment tools rather than a spiritual framework (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Uses evidence-based, self-empowerment tools rather than a spiritual framework

SMART Recovery uses cognitive-behavioral and motivational tools and does not incorporate a higher power concept, offering a secular alternative.

Question 28: What is the MOST effective way to stay current with developments in emergency response & critical care for Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Following a single expert opinions
Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration (Correct answer)
Reading only internal communications
Relying on experience gained early in career

Correct answer: Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration

A multi-faceted approach including formal development, industry events, and peer collaboration provides the broadest perspective on current developments.

Question 29: A coach suspects a minor they work with is being abused. What is the coach's obligation?

Wait for proof
Confront the suspected abuser
Only inform the person's friends
Report to the appropriate child protective authority as required by state law and agency policy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report to the appropriate child protective authority as required by state law and agency policy

Mandated reporting laws require suspected child abuse to be reported to authorities.

Question 30: How should coaches handle dual relationships with clients?

By maintaining clear professional boundaries and avoiding personal involvement (Correct answer)
By engaging in personal relationships with clients to build trust
By blurring boundaries to make the coaching more personal
By allowing the client to set the boundaries in the relationship

Correct answer: By maintaining clear professional boundaries and avoiding personal involvement

Coaches should handle dual relationships by maintaining clear professional boundaries and strictly avoiding personal involvement with clients. Dual relationships, such as friendships or business partnerships, can compromise objectivity, exploit the client, and create conflicts of interest. Upholding professional boundaries ensures the coaching relationship remains therapeutic and ethical.

Question 31: Which of the SAMHSA eight dimensions of wellness includes having a sense of purpose and meaning in life?

Occupational
Environmental
Intellectual
Spiritual (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Spiritual

The spiritual dimension covers meaning, purpose, and a sense of balance in life.

Question 32: Which patient education & health promotion technique is MOST appropriate when delivering complex information in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Using only written materials without verbal explanation
Breaking information into manageable segments and confirming understanding (Correct answer)
Presenting all information at once to save time
Assuming the audience will research details independently

Correct answer: Breaking information into manageable segments and confirming understanding

Breaking information into manageable segments and checking understanding ensures comprehension and retention of complex material.

Question 33: A person asks for help understanding their legal rights regarding a criminal charge. What is the coach's appropriate role?

Represent them in court
Provide legal advice
Advise them on what to say to a judge
Refer them to a licensed attorney or legal aid while supporting them emotionally (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refer them to a licensed attorney or legal aid while supporting them emotionally

Coaches are not licensed to give legal advice and should refer to legal professionals.

Question 34: Documentation of coaching sessions should be:

Detailed gossip about the client's relationships
Shared freely with peers for learning
Kept only in the coach's memory
Timely, objective, factual, and stored securely (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Timely, objective, factual, and stored securely

Professional records should be accurate, objective, prompt, and protected from unauthorized access.

Question 35: Which quality is MOST important for professionals conducting clinical assessment & patient care in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Experience in unrelated fields
Personal relationships with those being assessed
Speed and efficiency above all else
Objectivity and attention to detail (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Objectivity and attention to detail

Objectivity ensures unbiased results while attention to detail captures all relevant information for accurate assessment.

Question 36: What is the PRIMARY objective of professional ethics & legal standards in the Certified Addiction Recovery Coach field?

To limit the scope of professional practice
To create additional paperwork for professionals
To ensure adherence to established standards and protect stakeholders (Correct answer)
To increase operational costs for organizations

Correct answer: To ensure adherence to established standards and protect stakeholders

The primary objective of compliance and regulatory frameworks is to ensure adherence to standards that protect stakeholders.

Question 37: Which element is ESSENTIAL for an effective professional ethics & legal standards program in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Annual review without interim checks
Documentation stored without regular updates
Compliance responsibility assigned to one individual only
Regular audits and continuous monitoring processes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Regular audits and continuous monitoring processes

Regular audits and continuous monitoring enable early detection of compliance gaps and ensure ongoing adherence to standards.

Question 38: What is the FIRST step in conducting a thorough clinical assessment & patient care in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Reviewing previous assessments only
Delegating the assessment to the least experienced team member
Defining clear assessment criteria and objectives (Correct answer)
Collecting data without a plan

Correct answer: Defining clear assessment criteria and objectives

Defining clear criteria and objectives ensures the assessment is focused, consistent, and produces actionable results.

Question 39: Which of the following is a component of 'recovery capital'?

Social, physical, human, and community resources that support recovery (Correct answer)
Only the amount of money a person has
The number of prior treatment episodes
The severity of withdrawal

Correct answer: Social, physical, human, and community resources that support recovery

Recovery capital includes the social, physical, human, and cultural/community assets a person can draw on.

Question 40: Harm reduction services, such as syringe service programs, primarily aim to:

Promote or encourage drug use
Replace all formal addiction treatment
Serve only clients who are ready to stop using
Reduce health consequences of drug use without requiring abstinence (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reduce health consequences of drug use without requiring abstinence

Harm reduction programs prioritize reducing risks such as infectious disease transmission without making abstinence a requirement for services.

Question 41: Which of the following BEST represents the principle of justice in coaching ethics?

Keeping all information secret
Treating all clients fairly and equitably regardless of background (Correct answer)
Making decisions for the client
Prioritizing clients who pay more

Correct answer: Treating all clients fairly and equitably regardless of background

Justice requires fair, nondiscriminatory access to services and respectful treatment of every client.

Question 42: Which action BEST demonstrates a commitment to professional ethics & legal standards in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Relying on colleagues to interpret regulatory requirements
Following only the regulations that are convenient
Addressing compliance issues only when audited
Maintaining current knowledge of all applicable regulations and standards (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintaining current knowledge of all applicable regulations and standards

Actively maintaining current knowledge of applicable regulations demonstrates genuine commitment to compliance and helps prevent violations.

Question 43: How many assessment dimensions does the ASAM Criteria use to guide placement?

Four
Ten
Eight
Six (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Six

The ASAM Criteria uses six dimensions, from withdrawal potential to recovery environment.

Question 44: The PHQ-9 is a screening tool for which condition?

Anxiety only
Psychosis
Depression (Correct answer)
Trauma-related dissociation

Correct answer: Depression

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 screens for and monitors depression severity.

Question 45: A coach notices a person in early recovery sleeping only 3 hours a night. What is the most appropriate health promotion step?

Recommend sleeping pills from a friend
Advise using alcohol sparingly to fall asleep
Share sleep hygiene basics and encourage discussing persistent insomnia with a clinician (Correct answer)
Tell them sleep problems are not related to recovery

Correct answer: Share sleep hygiene basics and encourage discussing persistent insomnia with a clinician

Sleep hygiene education plus clinical referral is within scope and supports relapse prevention.

Question 46: Which behavior represents a boundary violation?

Following agency guidelines on contact hours
Referring to a therapist
Borrowing money from the person being coached (Correct answer)
Meeting in a public location agreed upon in advance

Correct answer: Borrowing money from the person being coached

Financial entanglement exploits the power imbalance and violates professional boundaries.

Question 47: In Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, how does pharmacology & treatment protocols contribute to professional credibility?

By using impressive terminology
By demonstrating competence, maintaining standards, and delivering consistent results (Correct answer)
By avoiding challenging situations
Through the number of years in practice alone

Correct answer: By demonstrating competence, maintaining standards, and delivering consistent results

Professional credibility is built through demonstrated competence, consistent adherence to standards, and reliable delivery of quality results.

Question 48: A person is hesitant about a doctor's referral and says, 'I don't understand why I need this lab test.' What is the best coach response?

Cancel the referral for them
Explain the lab results yourself
Tell them to just comply
Encourage them to ask the provider to explain, and help them write down questions beforehand (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Encourage them to ask the provider to explain, and help them write down questions beforehand

Helping people prepare questions builds self-advocacy and keeps interpretation with the clinician.

Question 49: In the Transtheoretical Model, a person who says 'I might cut back someday but not now' is most likely in which stage?

Maintenance
Precontemplation
Action
Contemplation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Contemplation

Ambivalence with some consideration of change indicates contemplation.

Question 50: ASAM Dimension 1 assesses which of the following?

Employment history
Legal status
Acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential (Correct answer)
Family support

Correct answer: Acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential

Dimension 1 evaluates intoxication and withdrawal risk, which determines whether medical detox is needed.

Question 51: A coach wants to advertise services. Which statement is ethically acceptable?

Accurately describing credentials, services, and fees (Correct answer)
Claiming to be a licensed therapist
Guaranteeing clients will stay sober
Using client testimonials without permission

Correct answer: Accurately describing credentials, services, and fees

Advertising must be truthful and must not misrepresent qualifications or promise outcomes.

Question 52: What is the role of goal setting in behavioral change techniques?

To discourage progress in recovery.
To give individuals concrete steps to take toward recovery. (Correct answer)
To provide a vague sense of purpose.
To create confusion about recovery.

Correct answer: To give individuals concrete steps to take toward recovery.

Goal setting provides individuals with clear, actionable steps and a sense of direction in their recovery journey. By establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, individuals can track their progress and stay motivated. This structured approach helps break down the overwhelming process of recovery into manageable tasks, fostering a sense of accomplishment and forward momentum.

Question 53: A sober living home (SLH) is BEST described as:

A hospital-based rehabilitation center
A medical detoxification facility
A structured residential environment supporting sobriety without clinical treatment (Correct answer)
An intensive outpatient program

Correct answer: A structured residential environment supporting sobriety without clinical treatment

Sober living homes provide drug-free housing with peer accountability structures but do not deliver formal clinical treatment.

Question 54: Which competency is MOST essential for professionals working in emergency response & critical care in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Critical thinking combined with practical application of knowledge (Correct answer)
Speed of task completion above all else
Memorization of procedures without understanding principles
Seniority-based decision making

Correct answer: Critical thinking combined with practical application of knowledge

Critical thinking allows professionals to apply knowledge effectively in varied situations, leading to better outcomes than rote procedures.

Question 55: A person asks the coach to keep a secret that they plan to harm another person. How should the coach respond?

Wait to see if the person follows through
Keep the secret to preserve trust
Post a warning on social media
Explain limits of confidentiality and follow duty-to-warn/protect procedures and supervisor guidance (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Explain limits of confidentiality and follow duty-to-warn/protect procedures and supervisor guidance

Confidentiality has limits when there is imminent danger to others, requiring appropriate reporting.

Question 56: Why is continuous professional development important for addiction recovery coaches?

To handle client behavior based solely on intuition
To focus solely on building personal relationships with clients
To avoid working with difficult clients
To maintain certifications and stay informed about new trends (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To maintain certifications and stay informed about new trends

Continuous professional development is vital for addiction recovery coaches to maintain their certifications and stay informed about the latest research, techniques, and best practices. The field of addiction recovery is constantly evolving, and ongoing learning ensures coaches can provide the most effective and up-to-date support to their clients. This commitment to growth enhances their competence and credibility.

Question 57: A client's employer calls the recovery coach to ask whether the client is attending sessions. What is the correct response?

Refer the employer to the client's family
Neither confirm nor deny the relationship without a signed release specifying the employer (Correct answer)
Confirm attendance only, since it is not clinical information
Share attendance but not session content

Correct answer: Neither confirm nor deny the relationship without a signed release specifying the employer

Even acknowledging someone is a client discloses protected information without written consent.

Question 58: A recovery coach learns that a person they coach is also being coached by a friend of the coach's spouse. What is the best first step?

Ask the spouse's friend to stop coaching the person
End services immediately without explanation
Disclose the dual relationship to the person and supervisor and decide together how to proceed (Correct answer)
Say nothing because the relationship is indirect

Correct answer: Disclose the dual relationship to the person and supervisor and decide together how to proceed

Potential dual relationships should be disclosed and discussed transparently with the person and a supervisor.

Question 59: Which situation most clearly constitutes practicing outside the scope of a recovery coach?

Advising a person to stop taking prescribed medication (Correct answer)
Sharing the coach's lived experience appropriately
Assisting with a recovery plan
Helping a person connect with a mutual-help meeting

Correct answer: Advising a person to stop taking prescribed medication

Medication decisions belong to prescribers; coaches must not give medical advice.

Question 60: Which action best reflects ethical use of social media by a recovery coach?

Posting anonymized client success stories with identifying details removed
Messaging clients on personal accounts about sessions
Keeping personal accounts private and declining client connection requests (Correct answer)
Accepting friend requests from current clients

Correct answer: Keeping personal accounts private and declining client connection requests

Maintaining private personal profiles and declining client requests preserves professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Question 61: What is the BEST approach to documentation & health records standardization in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Using whatever format is most convenient at the time
Allowing each department to create its own standards
Implementing consistent formats, terminology, and processes across the organization (Correct answer)
Standardizing only external-facing documents

Correct answer: Implementing consistent formats, terminology, and processes across the organization

Organization-wide consistency in formats, terminology, and processes ensures data can be shared, compared, and analyzed effectively.

Question 62: What is the purpose of the SBIRT model?

Long-term residential treatment
Medication-assisted prescribing
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for risky substance use (Correct answer)
Court-ordered monitoring

Correct answer: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for risky substance use

SBIRT is a public health approach for early identification and intervention in risky substance use.

Question 63: Which statement about romantic or sexual relationships with clients is correct?

They are prohibited and generally remain inappropriate even after services end (Correct answer)
They are allowed if the client consents
They are allowed if both are in recovery
They are acceptable after one month of ending services

Correct answer: They are prohibited and generally remain inappropriate even after services end

Ethics codes prohibit intimate relationships with clients, with lengthy or permanent restrictions after termination.

Question 64: What is the PRIMARY purpose of documentation & health records in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

To create paperwork for filing purposes
To provide accurate, accessible information for decision-making and compliance (Correct answer)
To limit access to information
To satisfy audit requirements only

Correct answer: To provide accurate, accessible information for decision-making and compliance

Data and documentation exist primarily to provide accurate, accessible information that supports both decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Question 65: The unique value of a peer support specialist in addiction recovery is their:

Clinical licensure and diagnostic skills
Authority to conduct insurance reviews
Ability to prescribe medications
Lived experience of addiction and recovery (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lived experience of addiction and recovery

Peer support specialists use their own recovery experience to provide hope, practical guidance, and authentic connection to those they serve.

Question 66: Under HIPAA, a client's release of information is valid only if it:

Is verbal and undated
Specifies who may disclose, to whom, what information, purpose, and expiration (Correct answer)
Is signed by the coach
Covers all future disclosures indefinitely

Correct answer: Specifies who may disclose, to whom, what information, purpose, and expiration

Valid authorizations must be specific about parties, content, purpose, expiration, and include the client's signature.

Question 67: Why is relapse prevention a critical aspect of behavioral change techniques?

Because it prevents individuals from considering recovery strategies.
Because it encourages individuals to return to addiction when faced with stress.
Because it provides individuals with coping strategies to handle triggers and stress. (Correct answer)
Because it prepares individuals to give up on recovery.

Correct answer: Because it provides individuals with coping strategies to handle triggers and stress.

Relapse prevention is a critical aspect of behavioral change techniques because it proactively equips individuals with strategies to handle triggers and stress. It involves identifying high-risk situations, developing coping skills, and creating a plan to navigate potential challenges without returning to substance use. This preparation empowers individuals to maintain long-term sobriety by effectively managing inevitable setbacks and stressors.

Question 68: According to recovery research, strong social support networks are associated with:

Greater dependency on external support
Increased stress and anxiety in recovery
Higher rates of relapse due to peer pressure
Improved long-term recovery outcomes and lower relapse rates (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Improved long-term recovery outcomes and lower relapse rates

A robust social support network is one of the strongest protective factors against relapse and a consistent predictor of sustained recovery.

Question 69: Which activity would be practicing outside of a coach's competence?

Linking a client with employment services
Teaching a client to use recovery-community resources
Leading a clinical group therapy session on trauma (Correct answer)
Helping a client create a relapse-prevention plan

Correct answer: Leading a clinical group therapy session on trauma

Clinical group therapy requires licensure and training beyond recovery coach certification.

Question 70: A client asks the coach to keep a secret that the client is using while participating in a drug court program. What should the coach have explained at intake?

The coach may lie to the court
The coach never documents use
Everything is always confidential
The limits of confidentiality, including what the court-related release allows (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The limits of confidentiality, including what the court-related release allows

Clients should know in advance what information will be shared under any signed court or program releases.

Question 71: What should be included in a comprehensive addiction assessment report?

A full history, including substance use, mental health, family dynamics, and screening results. (Correct answer)
Only the results of psychological evaluations.
Only the client’s physical health conditions.
Only the client’s substance use history.

Correct answer: A full history, including substance use, mental health, family dynamics, and screening results.

A comprehensive addiction assessment report provides a holistic view of the client's situation, recognizing that addiction is influenced by multiple factors. It should include a full history covering substance use patterns, co-occurring mental health conditions, relevant family dynamics, and the results from all screening and assessment tools. This detailed report is essential for developing a personalized and effective treatment plan.

Question 72: Which stage of change carries significant relapse risk due to complacency or overconfidence?

Action
Maintenance (Correct answer)
Precontemplation
Contemplation

Correct answer: Maintenance

The Maintenance stage carries significant relapse risk because individuals may become complacent, reduce their use of coping strategies, or overestimate their resistance to triggers over time.

Question 73: Which of the following is a reason that a breathalyzer reading may differ from a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

Breath readings never vary
Breath devices measure THC
Breath devices measure alcohol in the lungs and estimate BAC using a partition ratio (Correct answer)
Blood tests are less accurate in every case

Correct answer: Breath devices measure alcohol in the lungs and estimate BAC using a partition ratio

Breath devices estimate BAC from alveolar air using a fixed ratio, which can vary by individual and conditions.

Question 74: What is the role of a recovery coach?

To provide ongoing support and encouragement (Correct answer)
To prescribe medications.
To replace therapy.
To diagnose mental health conditions.

Correct answer: To provide ongoing support and encouragement

A recovery coach serves as a mentor and guide, offering non-clinical support to individuals in recovery. They provide ongoing encouragement, help clients navigate the challenges of sobriety, set goals, and connect with resources. Their role is to empower individuals, foster self-efficacy, and provide consistent support throughout their recovery journey.

Question 75: What is the PRIMARY objective of emergency response & critical care within the Certified Addiction Recovery Coach profession?

To limit the scope of professional activities
To maintain the status quo without change
To ensure quality outcomes through standardized practices and continuous improvement (Correct answer)
To create additional requirements for practitioners

Correct answer: To ensure quality outcomes through standardized practices and continuous improvement

The primary objective is ensuring quality outcomes through established standards while continuously improving practices and processes.

Question 76: Marlatt and Gordon's Relapse Prevention model identifies which category as the most common high-risk situation for relapse?

Employment challenges alone
Negative emotional states, social pressure, and interpersonal conflict (Correct answer)
Medication side effects
Financial difficulties

Correct answer: Negative emotional states, social pressure, and interpersonal conflict

Marlatt and Gordon found that negative emotional states, social pressure, and interpersonal conflict account for the majority of relapse situations.

Question 77: Which approach is generally recommended for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders?

Self-help meetings only
Treating the substance use first and ignoring mental health
Treating the mental health condition only after one year of abstinence
Integrated treatment addressing both conditions at the same time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Integrated treatment addressing both conditions at the same time

Research supports integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders over sequential or parallel treatment.

Question 78: SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides:

Free, confidential referrals to treatment and support services (Correct answer)
Legal advice for people with addiction
Prescription refill authorization
Emergency psychiatric hospitalization

Correct answer: Free, confidential referrals to treatment and support services

SAMHSA's Helpline is a 24/7, free, confidential service providing information and treatment referrals for substance use and mental health disorders.

Question 79: How should documentation & health records retention policies be determined in Certified Addiction Recovery Coach?

Keeping everything indefinitely
Based on legal requirements, operational needs, and industry best practices (Correct answer)
Destroying records as soon as they are no longer immediately needed
Based on available storage space

Correct answer: Based on legal requirements, operational needs, and industry best practices

Retention policies should balance legal requirements, operational needs, and best practices to ensure appropriate preservation and disposal.

Question 80: Appropriate self-disclosure by a coach in recovery should be:

Avoided entirely in all circumstances
Brief, purposeful, and focused on benefiting the client (Correct answer)
Used to shift attention to the coach's story
Detailed and frequent to build rapport

Correct answer: Brief, purposeful, and focused on benefiting the client

Lived-experience sharing is valuable when it is limited and serves the client's recovery goals.

Question 81: A client discloses a plan to seriously harm a specific named person tomorrow. What is the coach's primary obligation?

Follow duty-to-warn/protect laws and agency policy, consulting the supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
Maintain confidentiality because the client trusts the coach
Encourage the client to journal about the feelings
Wait to see whether the client repeats the statement

Correct answer: Follow duty-to-warn/protect laws and agency policy, consulting the supervisor immediately

Imminent threats to identifiable others override confidentiality under duty-to-warn or protect statutes.

Question 82: On the CAGE questionnaire, the 'E' (Eye-opener) asks about which behavior?

Trying to cut down on drinking
Drinking first thing in the morning to steady nerves or relieve a hangover (Correct answer)
Feeling guilty about drinking
Being annoyed by criticism of drinking

Correct answer: Drinking first thing in the morning to steady nerves or relieve a hangover

The Eye-opener item asks about a morning drink to steady nerves or get rid of a hangover.

Question 83: Narcotics Anonymous (NA) differs from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) primarily in that NA:

Does not use the 12-step model
Is exclusively for people with opioid addiction
Requires professional clinical facilitation
Focuses on recovery from all forms of drug addiction, not solely alcohol (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Focuses on recovery from all forms of drug addiction, not solely alcohol

NA uses the same 12-step framework as AA but is specifically designed for people recovering from any form of drug addiction.

Question 84: A coach feels overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted after several client relapses. The most ethical step is to:

Discuss the clients' cases with friends
Continue working without support
Hide the struggle from the supervisor
Seek supervision, self-care, and consider reducing caseload if needed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Seek supervision, self-care, and consider reducing caseload if needed

Coaches have an ethical duty to address impairment and burnout to protect the quality of client care.

Question 85: What is the primary spirit of Motivational Interviewing?

Confronting denial directly
Collaboration, evocation, and autonomy (Correct answer)
Setting strict behavioral limits
Providing expert advice

Correct answer: Collaboration, evocation, and autonomy

MI is grounded in a collaborative spirit that evokes the client's own motivation while respecting their autonomy.

Question 86: Developing a relapse prevention plan is MOST effective when it involves:

Focusing exclusively on avoiding all social situations
Only the recovery coach drafting the plan based on clinical judgment
Active client participation in identifying personal triggers and coping strategies (Correct answer)
Delaying the plan until the client has six months of continuous sobriety

Correct answer: Active client participation in identifying personal triggers and coping strategies

Collaborative development of relapse prevention plans increases client ownership and the plan's practical effectiveness.

Question 87: A 'warm handoff' in substance use services is BEST defined as:

Directly introducing the client to the next provider in real time, in person or by phone (Correct answer)
Scheduling a follow-up appointment several weeks later
Electronically transferring clinical records
Mailing a written referral letter to another provider

Correct answer: Directly introducing the client to the next provider in real time, in person or by phone

A warm handoff involves an immediate, personal introduction between client and new provider, reducing service dropout and improving engagement.

Question 88: Which federal regulation provides specific confidentiality protections for substance use disorder treatment records?

42 CFR Part 2 (Correct answer)
ADA Title II
The Fair Housing Act
FERPA

Correct answer: 42 CFR Part 2

42 CFR Part 2 restricts disclosure of SUD patient records from federally assisted programs beyond HIPAA's rules.

Question 89: The 'abstinence violation effect' (AVE) describes the phenomenon where a person who lapses:

Experiences guilt and all-or-nothing thinking that increases risk of full relapse (Correct answer)
Faces legal consequences for violating abstinence conditions
Undergoes physical withdrawal from stopping use
Feels pride in having maintained sobriety

Correct answer: Experiences guilt and all-or-nothing thinking that increases risk of full relapse

AVE involves shame, guilt, and catastrophic thinking after a lapse — the 'I've already ruined it' mindset that can escalate a slip into full relapse.

Question 90: A coach sees a current client at a mutual-aid meeting. What should the coach do?

Avoid attending any meetings in the future
Introduce the client to other attendees
Greet the client loudly by name
Let the client decide whether to acknowledge the coach, and avoid initiating contact (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Let the client decide whether to acknowledge the coach, and avoid initiating contact

Protecting confidentiality means following the client's lead about acknowledgment in public settings.

Question 91: A client wants to stop services and the coach believes this is premature. The coach should:

Notify the client's family without consent
Threaten to report the client
Respect the client's autonomy, discuss concerns, and provide referrals or a transition plan (Correct answer)
Refuse to end services

Correct answer: Respect the client's autonomy, discuss concerns, and provide referrals or a transition plan

Client self-determination is a core ethical principle, and the coach supports a safe transition.

Question 92: Under 42 CFR Part 2, what must generally be obtained before sharing a client's substance use disorder treatment records with another party?

Nothing, if it is for the client's benefit
Written patient consent that meets federal requirements (Correct answer)
Verbal agreement from a friend
Approval from the client's employer

Correct answer: Written patient consent that meets federal requirements

42 CFR Part 2 requires written consent for most disclosures of SUD treatment records.

Question 93: A coach makes a mistake that discloses a client's name in an email to the wrong person. The ethical response is to:

Blame the client
Notify the supervisor, follow breach-response policy, and inform the client (Correct answer)
Delete the email and say nothing
Hide the error

Correct answer: Notify the supervisor, follow breach-response policy, and inform the client

Privacy breaches must be reported internally and addressed transparently according to policy and law.

Question 94: A person wants to quit smoking and is also in early recovery from alcohol use. Which statement reflects current evidence?

Quitting tobacco during recovery is associated with better long-term substance use outcomes (Correct answer)
Quitting tobacco always causes relapse
Tobacco has no relationship to recovery
Quitting smoking should wait until after one year of sobriety

Correct answer: Quitting tobacco during recovery is associated with better long-term substance use outcomes

Evidence suggests tobacco cessation during recovery supports, rather than undermines, sustained abstinence.

Question 95: Which of the following is within a recovery coach's scope of practice?

Providing trauma-processing therapy
Adjusting a client's psychiatric medication
Diagnosing co-occurring depression
Helping a client develop a recovery plan and connect to community resources (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Helping a client develop a recovery plan and connect to community resources

Recovery coaches support goal setting and resource linkage but do not diagnose, prescribe, or provide therapy.

Question 96: Research on recovery housing with abstinence requirements and peer accountability shows:

Improved employment outcomes and reduced relapse rates (Correct answer)
Higher rates of continued substance use
Increased involvement with the criminal justice system
Greater social isolation among residents

Correct answer: Improved employment outcomes and reduced relapse rates

Studies show structured recovery housing is associated with reduced substance use, better employment, and improved long-term recovery outcomes.

Question 97: Which situation requires a coach to break confidentiality without client consent in most states?

The client discloses ongoing abuse of a child (Correct answer)
The client disagrees with the recovery plan
The client relapsed
The client missed two sessions

Correct answer: The client discloses ongoing abuse of a child

Suspected child abuse or neglect triggers mandatory reporting laws for helping professionals in all states.

Question 98: A coach in a small community discovers a new person is their neighbor. What is the most ethical response?

Stop speaking with the neighbor
Tell other neighbors
Proceed without discussion
Discuss the overlap openly, assess risks, and seek supervision or refer if boundaries cannot be maintained (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Discuss the overlap openly, assess risks, and seek supervision or refer if boundaries cannot be maintained

Unavoidable overlaps in small communities require disclosure, risk assessment, and supervision.

Question 99: Continuing care planning after initial addiction treatment is MOST important because:

It satisfies insurance billing requirements
Sustained engagement with support services reduces long-term relapse rates (Correct answer)
It is mandated by HIPAA regulations
It eliminates the need for any further treatment

Correct answer: Sustained engagement with support services reduces long-term relapse rates

Research consistently demonstrates that ongoing engagement with aftercare services significantly reduces relapse rates following initial treatment.

Question 100: What is an example of legal liability for addiction recovery coaches?

Failing to follow state laws regarding addiction recovery services (Correct answer)
Helping clients navigate treatment plans
Providing a supportive environment for clients in recovery
Listening to clients' concerns without giving medical advice

Correct answer: Failing to follow state laws regarding addiction recovery services

Failing to follow state laws regarding addiction recovery services is a clear example of legal liability for coaches. This includes non-compliance with licensing requirements, confidentiality regulations (like HIPAA), or mandated reporting laws. Such failures can lead to fines, loss of certification, or even criminal charges, underscoring the importance of legal adherence.

Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CRC) Exam

The CRC certification validates the knowledge and skills of individuals providing recovery coaching services to those seeking or in recovery from addiction.

100

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

internationalcredentialing.org — Exam format, time limit, test delivery, passing score, retake policy, score release, exam information · verified Oct 2026
mbsacc.com — Renewal, score validity, registration · verified Oct 2026
pci.jotform.com — Fees, test dates · verified Oct 2026