LCDC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. The client signature on a treatment plan signifies: → Informed consent and collaborative participation in their own care
2. When writing clinical notes, which practice most protects the counselor and client? → Documenting only clinically relevant, factual observations in objective language
3. When conducting a mental status examination, which component evaluates the client's awareness of time, place, and person? → Orientation
4. Which FDA-approved medication blocks opioid receptors and is indicated for treating both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder? → Naltrexone
5. Acamprosate (Campral) is used in alcohol use disorder treatment primarily to: → Reduce post-acute withdrawal symptoms and cravings by modulating glutamate activity
6. Which instrument is most commonly used to screen for alcohol use disorder severity in the US? → AUDIT
7. A client says, 'I know I should stop drinking, but I just can't imagine my life without it.' This statement represents: → Ambivalence
8. When a client's treatment plan goals have all been met, the appropriate next step is to: → Conduct a discharge planning session and refer to continuing care services
9. A client in early recovery identifies relapse prevention as a treatment priority. Which type of intervention should be included in the plan? → Relapse prevention planning with trigger identification and coping strategies
10. A client requests their treatment records be shared with their primary care physician. Under 42 CFR Part 2, the counselor must: → Obtain a valid written consent from the client that meets specific regulatory requirements
11. Which substance withdrawal syndrome is most likely to be life-threatening without medical management? → Alcohol withdrawal
12. Which organization accredits substance use disorder treatment programs in the US using standards that incorporate ASAM criteria? → CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
13. The ASAM criteria are primarily used to determine: → Appropriate level of care for substance use treatment
14. What is the primary purpose of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI)? → To assess problem severity across multiple life areas
15. When a counselor summarizes a client's statements, the primary purpose is to: → Collect and link key themes, demonstrate understanding, and transition the conversation
16. When documenting a client session, the SOAP format stands for: → Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
17. When a client with opioid use disorder is prescribed medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the treatment plan should: → Integrate MAT as one component alongside counseling and recovery support
18. The ethical principle of nonmaleficence in counseling means: → Avoiding actions that cause harm to the client
19. What is the primary mechanism of action of methadone in treating opioid use disorder? → Full agonist at mu-opioid receptors with long half-life
20. Which of the following is an appropriate reason to breach a client's confidentiality without consent? → The client makes a credible threat to seriously harm an identified third party
21. How often should treatment plans typically be reviewed and updated? → At regular intervals as specified by program policy and the client's progress
22. Buprenorphine is effective in treating opioid use disorder primarily because it is: → A partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors with a ceiling effect
23. Which scenario represents a violation of professional boundaries? → Accepting a substantial gift from a grateful client in recovery
24. Which route of drug administration generally produces the fastest onset of action? → Intravenous injection
25. Advocacy in case management refers to: → Speaking on behalf of or alongside clients to access needed services and remove barriers
26. The LCDC scope of practice typically includes all of the following EXCEPT: → Prescribing medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
27. According to DEA drug scheduling, Schedule I substances are characterized by: → High potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the US
28. A client who believes they can have one drink without losing control is exhibiting which type of cognitive distortion? → Permission-giving thought (seemingly irrelevant decision)
29. Which of the following best describes 'collateral information' in a clinical evaluation? → Data gathered from sources other than the client, such as family or records
30. A treatment goal should be written using which framework to ensure it is actionable and measurable? → SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)