CRSS CRSS - Certified Recovery Support Specialist Relapse Prevention and Recovery Maintenance Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is most significant in relapse prevention because:
- It only affects clients who used alcohol
- It can persist for months to years after cessation and create ongoing vulnerability to relapse (Correct answer)
- It is fully resolved within the first 30 days of abstinence
- It is prevented entirely by medication-assisted treatment
Correct answer: It can persist for months to years after cessation and create ongoing vulnerability to relapse
PAWS can last 1-2 years or longer and includes symptoms like mood swings, cognitive difficulties, and sleep problems that increase relapse risk.
Question 2: A client who has relapsed wants to return to their recovery housing but the program has a 'no relapse' policy. As a CRSS, you should:
- Tell the client the program rules must be followed without question
- Advocate for the client by exploring housing alternatives and connecting them with appropriate support (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to hide the relapse from program staff
- Discharge the client from all peer support services
Correct answer: Advocate for the client by exploring housing alternatives and connecting them with appropriate support
A CRSS advocates for clients and helps navigate system barriers, including finding alternative housing options after a relapse.
Question 3: Which recovery maintenance approach specifically focuses on building a meaningful life beyond abstinence to reduce relapse risk?
- Harm reduction model
- White-knuckle sobriety approach
- Positive psychology and building a life worth living (Correct answer)
- Controlled drinking techniques
Correct answer: Positive psychology and building a life worth living
Building a fulfilling, purposeful life through positive psychology reduces the pull of substances by creating competing reinforcers for recovery.
Question 4: A client identifies 'driving past their old neighborhood' as a situational trigger. The BEST relapse prevention strategy for this trigger is:
- Never leaving their home to avoid all triggers
- Route planning to avoid the area combined with developing coping strategies if avoidance isn't possible (Correct answer)
- Moving to a different state immediately
- Relying solely on willpower when the trigger is encountered
Correct answer: Route planning to avoid the area combined with developing coping strategies if avoidance isn't possible
Practical trigger management combines avoidance when feasible with coping skill development for situations where avoidance isn't possible.
Question 5: According to the CRSS framework, which statement BEST reflects the peer specialist's role in a client's relapse prevention planning?
- The CRSS creates the relapse prevention plan on behalf of the client
- The CRSS guides and supports the client in developing their own personalized relapse prevention plan (Correct answer)
- The CRSS refers all relapse prevention planning to licensed clinicians only
- The CRSS implements a standardized relapse prevention curriculum for all clients
Correct answer: The CRSS guides and supports the client in developing their own personalized relapse prevention plan
The CRSS role is to support client self-determination, facilitating the client's own development of personalized recovery plans.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a 'seemingly irrelevant decision' (SID) in the context of relapse prevention?
- Calling a sponsor when experiencing cravings
- Deciding to attend a party 'just to socialize' in a home where substances will be present (Correct answer)
- Attending a 12-step meeting when feeling stressed
- Scheduling an appointment with a counselor
Correct answer: Deciding to attend a party 'just to socialize' in a home where substances will be present
A SID is a decision that seems harmless but actually moves the person closer to a high-risk situation for relapse.
Question 7: A client in recovery who was previously prescribed opioids for chronic pain is now experiencing that pain again. As a CRSS, the most appropriate action is to:
- Advise the client to manage pain without any medications regardless of severity
- Connect the client with a healthcare provider who specializes in addiction medicine for a comprehensive pain management consultation (Correct answer)
- Tell the client to use their previous opioid prescription since it was legitimate
- Document the pain complaint but take no action as it is outside the CRSS scope
Correct answer: Connect the client with a healthcare provider who specializes in addiction medicine for a comprehensive pain management consultation
CRSS professionals help clients navigate healthcare systems, and connecting someone with addiction-informed pain specialists is within scope and best practice.
CRSS CRSS - Certified Recovery Support Specialist Relapse Prevention and Recovery Maintenance Questions and Answers 5
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is most significant in relapse prevention because: