CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Crisis Intervention Strategies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client calls the clinic's crisis line, sounding intoxicated and expressing extreme hopelessness after a recent relapse.
The client mentions having access to a firearm.
What is the CASAC's immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough and immediate suicide risk assessment.

Answer

Explore the underlying reasons for the client's relapse.

Answer

Schedule an urgent in-person appointment for the next day.

Answer

Provide the client with contact information for a 12-step group.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of crisis intervention?

Accepted Answer

To restore the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning and ensure immediate safety.

Answer

To resolve the client's long-term substance use disorder.

Answer

To provide a definitive DSM-5 diagnosis for the client.

Answer

To analyze the client's childhood experiences and family dynamics in-depth.

Question 3

A CASAC is working with a client who becomes extremely agitated and verbally aggressive during a session, clenching their fists and raising their voice. What is the counselor's most appropriate initial de-escalation technique?

Accepted Answer

Maintain a calm demeanor, respect personal space, and validate the client's feelings.

Answer

End the session immediately and instruct the client to leave.

Answer

Tell the client in a firm voice that they need to calm down.

Answer

Threaten to call security if the behavior continues.

Question 4

According to Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, a key task for the counselor is to assess the client's past coping mechanisms. What is the primary purpose of this step?

Accepted Answer

To identify and reinforce successful strategies the client has used before.

Answer

To assign blame for past failures in coping with stress.

Answer

To complete a full psychological history for the client's record.

Answer

To prove that the client is incapable of handling stress alone.

Question 5

A client in early recovery reveals that their partner has threatened them with physical harm if they continue attending counseling sessions. According to the CASAC Canon of Ethical Principles, what is the counselor's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Assessing the level of danger and collaborating with the client on a safety plan.

Answer

Contacting the client's partner to mediate the dispute.

Answer

Advising the client to leave the relationship immediately.

Answer

Focusing only on the substance use issues to avoid interfering in the client's personal life.

Question 6

The SAFER-R model is a widely used framework for crisis intervention. The 'F' in SAFER-R stands for:

Accepted Answer

Facilitate understanding.

Answer

Follow-up.

Answer

Focus.

Answer

Family involvement.

A client calls the clinic's crisis line, sounding intoxicated and expressing extreme hopelessness after a recent relapse.The client mentions having access to a firearm.What is the CASAC's immediate priority?

A client calls the clinic's crisis line, sounding intoxicated and expressing extreme hopelessness after a recent relapse.
The client mentions having access to a firearm.
What is the CASAC's immediate priority?