CRS Crisis Intervention & Relapse Prevention Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the context of crisis intervention, 'psychological first aid' (PFA) is best described as:
- A formal psychiatric evaluation tool
- A humane, supportive response to reduce distress and foster adaptive functioning (Correct answer)
- A structured 12-step crisis resolution program
- A pharmacological approach to acute crisis stabilization
Correct answer: A humane, supportive response to reduce distress and foster adaptive functioning
Psychological first aid is an evidence-informed approach that provides practical, compassionate support to help people feel safe and connected during crisis.
Question 2: Which technique involves reviewing the chain of events, thoughts, and feelings that led to a near-relapse to prevent future occurrences?
- Behavioral rehearsal
- Chain analysis (Correct answer)
- Cognitive restructuring
- Contingency management
Correct answer: Chain analysis
Chain analysis systematically examines the sequence of events, emotions, and behaviors that culminated in a problematic behavior to identify intervention points.
Question 3: When developing a personal relapse prevention plan, a 'coping card' is used to:
- Document a person's treatment history for providers
- Provide a quick reference for coping strategies during high-risk moments (Correct answer)
- Record daily mood ratings for tracking progress
- List all substances a person has used in their lifetime
Correct answer: Provide a quick reference for coping strategies during high-risk moments
Coping cards are portable reminders of strategies and motivational statements a person can access quickly during moments of craving or crisis.
Question 4: The concept of 'self-efficacy' in relapse prevention refers to a person's:
- Ability to pay for treatment services
- Belief in their own ability to cope with high-risk situations without using (Correct answer)
- Knowledge of available community resources
- Willingness to attend support group meetings
Correct answer: Belief in their own ability to cope with high-risk situations without using
Self-efficacy is a person's confidence in their ability to handle challenging situations and resist the urge to use substances.
Question 5: A person in recovery contacts their peer specialist saying they've been invited to a party where alcohol will be present. The MOST helpful immediate intervention is:
- Tell them they absolutely cannot attend the party
- Help them evaluate the risk and develop a specific coping plan or exit strategy (Correct answer)
- Schedule an emergency meeting with their counselor
- Suggest they bring non-alcoholic beverages to substitute
Correct answer: Help them evaluate the risk and develop a specific coping plan or exit strategy
Helping the person assess risk and create a concrete plan empowers them to make informed decisions and prepares them for the situation.
Question 6: In crisis stabilization, 'grounding techniques' are primarily used to help individuals:
- Process traumatic memories from their past
- Reconnect with the present moment when feeling overwhelmed or dissociated (Correct answer)
- Develop long-term recovery goals and milestones
- Understand the neuroscience of addiction
Correct answer: Reconnect with the present moment when feeling overwhelmed or dissociated
Grounding techniques use sensory focus (like the 5-4-3-2-1 method) to anchor a person to the present moment during acute emotional distress.
Question 7: Which type of trigger is categorized as an 'interoceptive' cue for relapse?
- Seeing a friend who uses substances
- Physical sensations like increased heart rate that were previously associated with drug use (Correct answer)
- Driving past a location where drugs were purchased
- Hearing music that was played while using
Correct answer: Physical sensations like increased heart rate that were previously associated with drug use
Interoceptive cues are internal bodily sensations (like heart racing or tension) that were conditioned to trigger cravings through past use.
CRS Crisis Intervention & Relapse Prevention Techniques 3
In the context of crisis intervention, 'psychological first aid' (PFA) is best described as: