PSS PSS Trauma-Informed Care and Co-Occurring Disorders 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best defines a trauma-informed approach in peer support?
- Focusing exclusively on a person's traumatic past to process emotions
- Recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this awareness into all interactions (Correct answer)
- Requiring trauma disclosures before developing a support relationship
- Avoiding any discussion of trauma to prevent re-traumatization
Correct answer: Recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this awareness into all interactions
A trauma-informed approach means understanding that trauma is widespread, and ensuring practices are safe, trustworthy, and empowering rather than re-traumatizing.
Question 2: The four Rs of a trauma-informed approach as defined by SAMHSA include: Realize, Recognize, Respond, and:
- Restore
- Resist re-traumatization (Correct answer)
- Refer
- Reflect
Correct answer: Resist re-traumatization
SAMHSA's four Rs are Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist re-traumatization, forming the foundation of a trauma-informed system.
Question 3: Co-occurring disorders (also called dual diagnosis) refer to:
- Having two physical health conditions simultaneously
- Having both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time (Correct answer)
- Being treated by two separate providers
- Experiencing two different types of trauma
Correct answer: Having both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time
Co-occurring disorders describe the simultaneous presence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the same individual.
Question 4: A peer specialist notices a person they support seems startled by loud noises and avoids certain rooms. This may be an example of:
- Psychosis
- A trauma response or trigger (Correct answer)
- Medication side effects only
- Non-compliance with their recovery plan
Correct answer: A trauma response or trigger
Hypervigilance, startle responses, and avoidance of specific environments are common trauma responses related to past adverse experiences.
Question 5: In integrated dual recovery, the preferred approach is to treat mental health and substance use disorders:
- Sequentially, addressing mental health first then substance use
- Sequentially, addressing substance use first then mental health
- Separately by two independent providers
- Simultaneously in a coordinated and integrated manner (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Simultaneously in a coordinated and integrated manner
Integrated treatment addresses both mental health and substance use disorders at the same time within a coordinated system, which produces better outcomes.
Question 6: A trauma-informed peer specialist who hears about a person's past traumatic event should primarily:
- Document the trauma details thoroughly for the clinical team
- Validate the person's experience and follow their lead on how much to share (Correct answer)
- Conduct a trauma assessment using standardized clinical tools
- Immediately refer the person to a trauma therapist and end the discussion
Correct answer: Validate the person's experience and follow their lead on how much to share
Peer specialists validate and support without directing or probing — the person controls how much they share and when.
PSS PSS Trauma-Informed Care and Co-Occurring Disorders 1
Which of the following best defines a trauma-informed approach in peer support?