CRC CRC Relapse Prevention & Coping Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Urge surfing is a technique in which a client:
- Avoids all situations that could cause cravings
- Observes a craving mindfully without acting on it until it passes (Correct answer)
- Calls their sponsor immediately when a craving occurs
- Replaces one substance with a safer alternative
Correct answer: Observes a craving mindfully without acting on it until it passes
Urge surfing involves mindfully observing a craving as a wave that rises and falls, allowing it to pass without acting on it.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered an internal relapse trigger?
- Attending a party where alcohol is served
- Passing by a former drug dealer's neighborhood
- Feeling resentful toward a family member (Correct answer)
- Seeing a cigarette advertisement
Correct answer: Feeling resentful toward a family member
Internal triggers are emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations — such as resentment — that arise from within the individual.
Question 3: A client in recovery who begins to think 'I've been sober long enough, one drink won't hurt' is experiencing:
- Physical relapse
- A healthy confidence boost
- Mental relapse (Correct answer)
- Emotional sobriety
Correct answer: Mental relapse
Mental relapse involves thoughts of using substances, rationalization, and glamorizing past use, which precede physical relapse.
Question 4: In relapse prevention, 'apparently irrelevant decisions' (AIDs) refer to:
- Health decisions that don't affect recovery
- Small choices that gradually move a person closer to high-risk situations (Correct answer)
- Decisions made while impaired by substances
- Administrative decisions in treatment planning
Correct answer: Small choices that gradually move a person closer to high-risk situations
AIDs are seemingly innocent choices that, when examined, move a person incrementally toward a relapse situation.
Question 5: A recovery coach should help a client build a strong sober support network PRIMARILY because:
- It fulfills program requirements
- Social connection reduces isolation and provides accountability in recovery (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for professional treatment
- Support networks are required by most employers
Correct answer: Social connection reduces isolation and provides accountability in recovery
A sober support network reduces isolation, provides accountability, and offers emotional connection — all of which strengthen recovery.
Question 6: When a client relapses, the recovery coach's FIRST priority should be to:
- Refer the client back to treatment immediately
- Ensure the client's immediate safety and assess for medical needs (Correct answer)
- Review and update the relapse prevention plan
- Discuss consequences of the relapse with the client
Correct answer: Ensure the client's immediate safety and assess for medical needs
Safety is always the first priority; the coach must assess whether the client needs medical attention before addressing other concerns.
CRC CRC Relapse Prevention & Coping Strategies 2
Urge surfing is a technique in which a client: