CRC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between a coaching goal and a coaching outcome? → Goals are what the client works toward; outcomes are the measurable results achieved
2. A male client from a culture with rigid gender roles refuses to discuss emotional vulnerability. The most effective culturally informed approach is to: → Use indirect or strength-based language that aligns with his cultural framework
3. A client from a collectivist culture insists on involving their extended family in all recovery decisions. The most culturally competent response is to: → Explore how family involvement can be integrated into the recovery plan
4. What does a 'wellness wheel' or 'life wheel' assessment help identify in recovery coaching? → Areas of life where the client feels balanced versus those needing attention
5. In recovery capital assessment, 'problem-solving ability' is categorized as: → Human capital — a personal cognitive skill that enhances recovery navigation
6. The practice of 'motivational interviewing spirit' in coaching includes all of the following EXCEPT: → Direct persuasion to adopt the coach's recommended change plan
7. A client in early recovery asks their coach to connect on social media 'just to stay motivated.' The coach should: → Decline and explain how it could blur their professional relationship
8. Why is it important to share personal recovery experiences? → To inspire and relate with clients
9. Which concept describes the process by which individuals build a new identity separate from their past substance use? → Identity reconstruction
10. Which of the following best describes a 'recovery capital' assessment? → An assessment of internal and external resources that support and sustain recovery
11. A recovery coach is educating a client about the stages of change. The primary purpose of this education is to: → Help the client recognize their current readiness and identify next steps
12. What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Community Resources & Referrals for CRC professionals? → Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves
13. What is 'sustain talk' in MI? → Language that favors maintaining the status quo and not changing
14. Which standard of practice is MOST important for ensuring quality in Foundations of Coaching Practice? → Following evidence-based protocols while adapting to specific circumstances
15. A recovery coach notices that a client's educational engagement drops whenever family issues are mentioned. The coach should: → Explore the connection between family dynamics and the client's recovery with the client
16. Which of the following is a primary goal during the stabilization phase of crisis intervention? → Helping the client regain a sense of safety and immediate coping
17. Education in recovery coaching focuses on: → Providing recovery knowledge and resources
18. In ethical decision-making, the principle of 'do no harm' is best described as: → Non-maleficence
19. Which harm reduction strategy aims to reduce infectious disease transmission among people who inject drugs? → Needle exchange programs
20. A recovery coach should update their community resource directory at minimum: → Annually or when services are known to change
21. The ethical principle of 'fidelity' in recovery coaching means: → The coach keeps promises, honors commitments, and is trustworthy
22. Which method enhances a mentee’s learning? → Interactive learning strategies
23. When advocating for systemic change in recovery services, a recovery coach should PRIMARILY focus on: → Influencing policy by sharing personal recovery narratives and community-level data
24. A client from an East Asian background avoids discussing family conflict, citing the cultural value of 'saving face.' A culturally competent coach should: → Honor the value while finding indirect ways to explore its impact on recovery
25. A recovery coach wants to assess whether their educational intervention was effective. The best method is to: → Ask the client to restate key concepts in their own words
26. A recovery coach learns that a client is currently using substances but has not expressed a desire to stop. The coach's best response is to: → Continue supporting the client's other recovery goals while keeping the door open
27. Which warning sign most clearly indicates a recovery coach is experiencing burnout rather than a brief period of stress? → Persistent cynicism, depersonalization, and reduced empathy toward clients
28. In Alcoholics Anonymous and similar 12-step programs, what is the significance of 'Step 1'? → Admitting powerlessness over alcohol and that life had become unmanageable
29. Which model describes relapse as a process involving emotional, mental, and physical stages? → Gorski's CENAPS model
30. In goal setting, 'backward design' means: → Starting with the desired long-term outcome and working backward to identify steps