Master Addiction Counselor Exam Flashcards
7 cards from real MAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Master Addiction Counselor Exam flashcards as text
A client on methadone maintenance reports using heroin two days ago. According to harm reduction principles, the counselor's FIRST priority is to:
Answer: Explore reasons for the relapse and adjust the treatment plan
Harm reduction prioritizes keeping clients engaged in treatment; exploring the relapse context informs plan adjustments rather than punitive measures.
Which neurotransmitter system is MOST directly implicated in the reinforcing effects of opioids?
Answer: Dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway
Opioids stimulate dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens via the mesolimbic pathway, producing rewarding effects.
A counselor notices a supervisee consistently avoids confronting clients about dishonesty. This is BEST addressed through:
Answer: Clinical supervision focusing on countertransference
Clinical supervision is the appropriate venue to explore countertransference reactions that interfere with effective counseling.
The ASAM Patient Placement Criteria use six dimensions to guide level-of-care decisions. Which dimension addresses a client's readiness to change?
Answer: Dimension 4: Readiness to Change
ASAM Dimension 4 specifically evaluates the client's readiness and motivation to change as a placement factor.
A client with alcohol use disorder also meets criteria for major depressive disorder. The MOST appropriate approach is to:
Answer: Address both disorders concurrently with integrated treatment
Co-occurring disorders are best managed with integrated dual-diagnosis treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously.
Which of the following describes the ethical principle of 'veracity' as applied in addiction counseling?
Answer: Obligation to be honest and truthful with clients
Veracity refers to the counselor's duty to be truthful and non-deceptive in all communications with clients.
During a structured relapse prevention session, a counselor helps a client identify internal cues that precede cravings. This technique is MOST associated with:
Answer: Cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention by Marlatt and Gordon
Marlatt and Gordon's cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention model emphasizes identifying high-risk situations and internal cues that precede relapse.