CRS Crisis Intervention & Relapse Prevention Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which relapse prevention model identifies 'apparently irrelevant decisions' (AIDs) as early warning signs?
- Marlatt & Gordon's Cognitive-Behavioral Model (Correct answer)
- SMART Recovery Model
- 12-Step Facilitation Model
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Correct answer: Marlatt & Gordon's Cognitive-Behavioral Model
Marlatt & Gordon's model identifies AIDs as small, seemingly unrelated decisions that gradually move a person toward high-risk situations.
Question 2: When a peer recovery specialist responds to a crisis call and suspects the caller is in immediate danger, what is the FIRST priority?
- Complete a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment
- Ensure the person's physical safety (Correct answer)
- Explore the emotional triggers of the crisis
- Develop a long-term relapse prevention plan
Correct answer: Ensure the person's physical safety
Physical safety is always the first priority in any crisis situation before addressing emotional or psychological needs.
Question 3: The HALT acronym used in relapse prevention stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and:
- Tired (Correct answer)
- Triggered
- Trapped
- Tense
Correct answer: Tired
HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) identifies basic unmet needs that increase vulnerability to relapse.
Question 4: In crisis intervention, 'lethality assessment' primarily evaluates:
- The severity of substance use disorder
- The person's risk of harming themselves or others (Correct answer)
- The intensity of withdrawal symptoms
- The person's readiness for treatment
Correct answer: The person's risk of harming themselves or others
Lethality assessment focuses on evaluating suicide risk, homicide risk, and the immediate danger a person poses to themselves or others.
Question 5: What does 'urge surfing' teach individuals in relapse prevention?
- To identify and avoid all triggers permanently
- To observe cravings without acting on them until they pass (Correct answer)
- To use distraction techniques to eliminate cravings
- To replace substance use with physical exercise
Correct answer: To observe cravings without acting on them until they pass
Urge surfing teaches individuals to mindfully observe cravings as temporary waves that rise and fall without acting on them.
Question 6: Which stage of relapse typically begins with emotional symptoms such as isolation and mood swings BEFORE physical relapse?
- Physical relapse
- Social relapse
- Emotional relapse (Correct answer)
- Mental relapse
Correct answer: Emotional relapse
Emotional relapse is the first stage where a person isn't thinking about using but exhibits behaviors that set the stage for later relapse.
Question 7: A recovery specialist is working with someone who experienced a lapse. Using a non-shaming approach, the BEST first response is:
- Remind the person how long their sobriety streak was
- Explore what happened with curiosity and help the person return to recovery (Correct answer)
- Increase the frequency of required check-ins as a consequence
- Refer the person immediately to inpatient treatment
Correct answer: Explore what happened with curiosity and help the person return to recovery
A non-shaming, exploratory approach helps the person learn from the lapse and reconnect with their recovery without reinforcing guilt.
CRS Crisis Intervention & Relapse Prevention Techniques 2
Which relapse prevention model identifies 'apparently irrelevant decisions' (AIDs) as early warning signs?