MAC Group Therapy 5

Question 1

Which group format is MOST appropriate for clients who are in the contemplation stage of change regarding their substance use?

Accepted Answer

Motivational enhancement or pre-treatment group

Answer

Clients in contemplation are ambivalent about change and benefit most from groups that explore ambivalence and build intrinsic motivation rather than assuming readiness.

Question 2

A member expresses anger directly at the group leader during a session. The MOST therapeutically productive response is to:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the feeling and explore what it may represent for the member

Answer

Acknowledging and exploring the member's anger within the group allows for genuine therapeutic work on authority and trust issues common in addiction recovery.

Question 3

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'group cohesion' in addiction counseling?

Accepted Answer

The sense of belonging, trust, and mutual commitment members feel toward the group

Answer

Group cohesion — the sense of togetherness and belonging — is a foundational curative factor that predicts positive treatment outcomes in addiction group therapy.

Question 4

When facilitating a trauma-informed addiction group, the leader should AVOID:

Accepted Answer

Requiring members to share detailed trauma narratives early in the group

Answer

Pushing early trauma disclosure before trust and safety are established can re-traumatize members and undermine the therapeutic container.

Question 5

A mandatory drug court participant reluctantly attends an addiction group and states, 'I don't need to be here.' The leader's MOST effective MI-consistent response is:

Accepted Answer

Explore what the member sees as positive about their current substance use

Answer

Exploring the positive aspects of use (decisional balance) is an MI-consistent strategy that engages ambivalence without triggering reactance.

Master Addiction Counselor Exam Practice Test

Master Addiction Counselor Exam Practice Test

MAC Group Therapy 5